Gilberto Gil and Stevie Wonder

Admiration turned into partnership, Gil and Stevie Wonder share their friendship on stage

Gilberto Gil e Stevie Wonder à época de apresentação no Free Jazz Festival (1995-10-24)Instituto Gilberto Gil

Stevie Wonder: A Long-Standing Partner

Friends and admirers of each other's work for many years, Gilberto Gil and the American singer-songwriter and activist Stevie Wonder have appeared together on stage several times. 

Gilberto Gil, a esposa Flora Gil e sua equipe com Stevie Wonder nos bastidores de Free Jazz Festival em São Paulo (1995-10-22)Instituto Gilberto Gil

The Secret Life Of Plants em show da turnê Unplugged de Gilberto Gil no Chile
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Wonder had started releasing albums on the soul label Motown Records while he was still a teenager

Fotografia de Stevie Wonder e Bob Marley exposta em mural em Kingston, Jamaica, durante as gravações da canção Vamos Fugir para o álbum Raça Humana, de Gilberto Gil (1984-04-27)Instituto Gilberto Gil

When Gil first came across the blind pianist's sound in the 1970s, the Brazilian musician was immediately impressed by his talent. Gil met Wonder in person during a 1976 visit to Lagos, Nigeria, for the World Festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC), which the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti also attended.

Gilberto Gil e Stevie Wonder no camarim do show da turnê Unplugged nos Estados Unidos (1994)Instituto Gilberto Gil

While touring in the US in 1985, Gil invited Wonder to join him on stage in Washington. Ten years later, they would meet again at the Free Jazz Festival, which brought some big names in music to Brazil.

Público do show de Gilberto Gil e Stevie Wonder na noite de Natal na praia de Copacabana (2012-12-25)Instituto Gilberto Gil

Só Chamei Porque Te Amo em ensaio de Gilberto Gil para o carnaval de 2002
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In 2012, they both appeared at a concert on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach.

Bilhete, escrito à mão, de Gal Gosta para Gilberto Gil FrenteInstituto Gilberto Gil

In 1995, Stevie Wonder was in Brazil to appear alongside Gilberto Gil at the Free Jazz Festival. Gil invited his friend Stevie to dinner at his home, where he met some other Brazilian musicians. A huge fan of Stevie Wonder, Gal Costa was upset that she was unable to go and sent Gil this letter to explain her absence.

Caderno de rascunhos e composições de Gilberto Gil Letra da música I Just Called To Say I Love You, de Stevie Wonder, escrita por Gilberto GilInstituto Gilberto Gil

Cover Versions in Portuguese

Throughout his career, Gilberto Gil has had the chance to record cover versions of some classics, as well as new hits from the world of music. One song he chose to cover was Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You, which became Só Chamei Porque Te Amo in Portuguese. 

Gilberto Gil and Stevie Wonder during a benefit concert in Rio de Janeiro (2012-12-23)Instituto Gilberto Gil

Together in Rio

In 2012, the two artists performed together at a charity event in Rio de Janeiro.

Credits: Story

General credits


Editing and curation: Chris Fuscaldo / Garota FM
Research - music: Ceci Alves, Chris Fuscaldo, Laura Zandonadi and Ricardo Schott
Research - Ministry of Culture: Carla Peixoto, Ceci Alves and Chris Fuscaldo
Subtitles: Anna Durão, Carla Peixoto, Ceci Alves, Chris Fuscaldo, Daniel Malafaia, Fernanda Pimentel, Gilberto Porcidonio, Kamille Viola, Laura Zandonadi, Lucas Vieira, Luciana Azevedo, Patrícia Sá Rêgo, Pedro Felitte, Ricardo Schott, Roni Filgueiras and Tito Guedes
Data editing: Isabela Marinho and Marco Konopacki
Gege Produções Review: Cristina Doria
Acknowledgements: Gege Produções, Gilberto Gil, Flora Gil, Gilda Mattoso, Fafá Giordano, Maria Gil, Meny Lopes, Nelci Frangipani, Cristina Doria, Daniella Bartolini e todos os autores das fotos e personagens da história
All media: Instituto Gilberto Gil
*Every effort has been made to credit the images, audios and videos and correctly tell the story about the episodes narrated in the exhibitions. If you find errors and/or omissions, please contact us by email atendimentogil@gege.com.br

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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Gilberto Gil
A musical journey into the sound of Brazilian icon, Gilberto Gil
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