With a guitar style that combined fingerpicking finesse and harmonic sophistication, classically trained Charlie Byrd introduced Brazilian bossa nova to the U.S. alongside saxophonist Stan Getz. Their hit 1962 album Jazz Samba, recorded in a church, added a fresh improvisatory spirit to bossa standards like "Desafinado." That Byrd's quiet, subtle playing echoed that of bossa inventor João Gilberto was a bonus. While playing in vibraphonist Cal Tjader's group, Byrd's fluid acoustic guitar contrasted nicely with Herb Ellis' electric instrument and set a new standard for bossa jazz.