So sang Dorival, one of the granddaddies of Brazilian music, thus capturing in one brief couplet the local notion that music and dance are as fundamental as breathing. Brazilians are justly proud of their music, without a doubt their greatest cultural manifestation. Among the many good reasons to visit Brazil is the opportunity to check out this rich font of music. In my case, it's the main reason for living here. If The Girl from Ipanema made you swivel and sway, just wait till a samba groove gets a hold of your hips. Dive into the deeper waters of Brazilian music and endless aural treats await you.

One of the most enjoyable parts of travel, I've always felt, is the preparation. And the most enjoyable preparation I can think of for a trip to Brazil is the purchase of a few choice discs at your local CD store. What better way to get amped up for your adventures? Not only is this good musical kicks, but it's also a great way to get the music of the Portuguese language in your ear and the feel of the culture in your system. And once in Brazil, you need only keep your ears and your eyes open, and you'll find numerous opportunities to enjoy this music firsthand. Visitors often find that their fondest memories of their Brazilian travels center on musical experiences. It isn't by mistake that most folks take home a stack of CDs as souvenirs of their trip.

Brazilian music is a happy product of the triple heritage that has shaped the social history of Brazil. The voices of Africa, Europe, and indigenous Brazil form the rich amalgam that has become known to foreign audiences primarily through the bossa nova of Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, and the music of classical composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. But there's a lot more where that came from, and in recent years, Brazilian music has had growing exposure on the international market, benefiting listeners abroad who have had increasing opportunities to become familiar with the sound of this musically blessed land.

This being a guide to Rio de Janeiro, my main focus is on styles from this region, such as samba and bossa nova. However, Rio, as the primary cultural locus of Brazil and one of the country's main economic centers, attracts musicians who bring their sounds from all over the country, particularly the musically rich Northeast of Brazil. It is therefore fair to give these regional styles their deserved attention as well.

This guide is meant only as an overview. More information may be found in the sources listed below in the bibliography and on the Web as found in the Rio Links section of this guide. The discography, naturally, reflects the taste of the author. An effort has been made to represent a broad range of styles.