Based in Bahia, Brazilian singer/songwriter and guitarist Gilberto Gil (born Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira) is known for his politically-driven music and his fusion of guitar styles. Influenced by rock, samba, reggae and African music, his sound is widely regarded as an eclectic brand of world music. Gil began his career as a classical accordionist but soon grew fond of folk and the bosa nova sound that was popular in Brazil during the 1960s. Shortly after he released his first hit as a solo musician titled "Aquele Abraço," in 1969, he was arrested by the Brazilian military government. Given no reason for his arrest, he believed he was imprisoned for representing a new and powerful cultural force. He was exiled to London, where he was exposed to reggae, rock and jazz music. Since the release of his first album in 1967 titled Louvação, Gil recorded and released well over fifty albums in the decades to come including his first English album in the 1970s, the Best World Music Grammy Award-winning live album Quanta from 1998 as well as the 2005's Eletracústico, which took the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
