dubbed the 'musa da bossa nova', or bossa nova's muse, nara leăo was one of the first artists to engage with the genre - born in vitória, espírito santo in 1954, at age one she came to rio where she grew up always surrounded by music - she started learning to play the guitar at age 11 but it was during her teen years that she met other carioca musicians who were eager to develop a new style - she became the early female voice of the genre with a musical journey consisting of 23 albums, amongst countless collaborations, earning her international acclaim, and a legacy in bossa nova that will last forever.

here is a list of venues one can visit for some soothing bossa nova on a wednesday.