Toquinho brings Bossa Nova's golden era back to life at Porta Ferrada

Toquinho, one of the last living legends of the Bossa Nova generation, graced Catalonia once again on Sunday with a performance at the Porta Ferrada Festival in the coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Seated on a stool in an intimate setting with the stage overlooking the sea, Toquinho revisited the highlights of an incredible career that began more than 60 years ago.

Despite recently turning 78, Toquinho exuded energy, demonstrating his mastery of the guitar and proving that his distinctive voice is as vibrant as ever.

The São Paulo-born composer is a leading figure in Bossa Nova, having written more than 500 songs and released more than 70 albums.

His concert was a nostalgic journey through the history of the genre, a history that cannot be told without Antônio Carlos Jobim, its founding father.

In honor of Jobim, Toquinho opened the evening with Corcovado, a beloved classic penned by Jobim in 1960 and famously known as Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.

He continued the tribute with another Jobim classic, Garota de Ipanema  (The Girl from Ipanema).

Throughout the performance, Toquinho paid homage to many other influential musicians, especially Vinicius de Moraes.

Their collaboration is a cornerstone of Brazilian music, combining the melodic compositions of Toquinho with the poetic lyrics of Vinicius.

Toquinho reflected on the profound impact of working with Vinicius, who was 33 years his senior and an established poet when he was just beginning his career.

Songs like Tarde em Itapoã, Samba de Orly, and Aquarela, co-written with Vinicius, served as touching tributes.

Toquinho ended his tribute sending his Saravás - an Afro-Brazilian term meaning 'blessings' - to his late mentor.

The concert also featured a special appearance by singer Camilla Faustino, who entered the stage performing Catendê, from Vinicius and Toquinho's historic album La Fusa.

Her performance, which included songs by João Gilberto, Chico Buarque and Violeta Parra, was greeted with enthusiastic applause by the 800 attendees.

The highlight of the evening came with Toquinho's moving version of Joan Manuel Serrat's Paraules d'Amor, with Faustino singing in Catalan.

With the performance, Toquinho paid tribute to the Catalan singer with whom he recorded a track for Serrat's Portuguese album Sinceramente Teu.

After over an hour and a quarter of nostalgic music, Toquinho received a rousing ovation for his rendition of Tristeza.

Just as the audience thought the concert was over, the Brazilian returned for an encore, delivering a vibrant performance of A Tonga da Mironga do Kabuletê.

This legendary song, which borrows a phrase from the Yoruba people of Africa as a playful insult, captures the joy of Brazilian music. 

Through Toquinho's immortal voice, Bossa Nova will live on forever. Saravá, Toquinho.