Few South American musicians have reached the rarefied level of Gilberto Gil, a
greatly-loved musical innovator who went on to become Brazil's Minister of
Culture. The son of a doctor, Gil was born in the industrial city of Salvador,
but mostly raised in the country town of Itaçua, where he demonstrated his
natural musical talent at a young age, initially playing drums, trumpet and
accordion. Studying classical music in Salvador, he went on to embrace Brazilian
folk song and was particularly influenced by the singer and accordion player
Luiz Gonzaga. He then went on to play samba...