What is the main difference between jazz and bossa nova?

There are similarities, to be sure. Both Jazz and Bossa are heavily influenced by American Popular Music, but then, what isn't? read more

Bossa Nova can be considered as a Jazz sub-genre. Now If you are talking about American Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Gypsy Jazz or other genres, Bossa Nova is mainly characterized and differs more by its rhythm. Bossa Nova’s rhythm is highly influenced by Samba, which at the same time is highly influenced by African rhythms. read more

Antonio Carlos"Tom" Jobim is the quintessential Bossa Nova composer/performer. Other well known examples are Jao and Astrud Gilberto. Swing is a commercialized idiom rooted in early Jazz and largely carried forward within the big band context. It is jazz-inflected pop music that had its hey day in the 30's and 40's. read more

Samba and Bossa Nova history. Samba Classifications. Early samba composers were mainly from the lower classes, and a great part of them had African heritage. Their lyrics focused on the daily lives of people living in the cities, generally on those from the more popular classes. Throughout time many different types of samba styles developed. read more

Bossa Nova’s rhythm is highly influenced by Samba, which at the same time is highly influenced by African rhythms. Among another differences as harmony, song topics, language, and cultural matters. The rhythm is definitely the main one. read more

In no way jazz is "a form of blues interpretation". Jazz is infinitely richer and wider in scope. If you want, blues could be considered a tiny, microscopic facet of jazz. Bossa Nova is a Brazilian style born in the early 60s and it is not jazz. read more