Just last year, my original single “Run Away with Me” remained at #1 for five months, from September 2025 through February 2026. There was also a great deal of heartbreak during that time after my mom went home to be with the Lord in November. She was incredibly proud of what would become my second #1 single. “Run Away with Me” is an original composition that I produced, featuring my vocals and flute.
My first #1 single was “Do You Remember?” from All Jazzed Up!, my very first recorded jazz album. It topped several independent charts, including NMW, AC40, and Indie 100, and was even named Best New Add when it debuted.
But “Corcovado” carries a very different meaning for me.
My album Romantic Bossa-Nova was dedicated to the late Dave Pell, founder of West Coast Jazz. Dave performed at my concert just a few months before his passing, and yes—His beautiful, dreamy saxophone that night, inspired me to take that solo even further on my arrangement of “Corcovado.” That concert was a tremendous success and continued to fuel my passion for Brazilian music.
Celebrity Reviewer, Larry Dunn (Original Keyboardist/Arr. & Co-Songwriter of EWF) is in AGENDA Special Edition 3: Untraditional Bride. He has performed at my Romantic Bossa-Nova concerts a few times. below are his thoughts on Romantic Bossa-Nova.
The album was co-produced by Bunny Brunel, who played upright bass, fretless bass, and Brazilian guitar. I even managed to convince him to sing a duet with me on “Águas de Março (Waters of March)” in Portuguese. He sounded remarkably like João Gilberto! He is a multitalented musical marvel.
Still, “Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)” has always been the centerpiece of Romantic Bossa-Nova. Since the album was named Album of the Week by Smooth FM Portugal, it has continued receiving airplay in Portugal, Brazil, Canada, and, as I recently discovered, even France.
One thing many people don’t know is that I didn’t submit my last two songs to these charts on my own. I was personally invited to participate and asked to submit music, so I did. I also entered my original jazz ballad, “My Only Crime.” It charted, though it didn’t climb quite the way the last two releases have.
I actually learned about this achievement three days ago, but my schedule was completely hijacked, and I never had the opportunity to celebrate it—until now.
As the producer of “Corcovado,” I wanted to approach a song that has been recorded by so many legendary artists from a different perspective. Rather than opening with the familiar Stan Getz-style saxophone introduction, I envisioned Bunny’s dreamy bass taking center stage. What a solo he delivered. The response has been overwhelming.
Over the years, I’ve been told by numerous industry professionals that my interpretation of “Corcovado” is among the most original they’ve heard since the other wildly famous recordings. (With a big nod to Laura Fygi, whose artistry has long inspired me.) Creating that effortless Brazilian dialect and feel wasn’t effortless at all. I worked tirelessly on the Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation and phrasing until it felt natural. The album itself took more than three years to complete.
One lesson I’ve learned from producing music is this: never rush an album. It will tell YOU when it’s ready.
Romantic Bossa-Nova certainly did.
“Corcovado” was always meant to be its first single.
I recorded with some great musicians:
Bunny Brunel — upright bass, fretless bass, Brazilian guitar, vocals
Mahesh Balasooriya — piano
Rich Mouser — lead guitar (the solo)
Monette Marino — percussion
Bryan Cabrera — drums
…and me on vocals and flute.
Kaylene Peoples Corcovado Charts #1 USA and #2 Globally for Bossa-nova on the N1M 1000 chart.
Thank you for allowing me to share this milestone with you. Please continue supporting the arts, and especially music. It remains the one universal language that brings us all together.
With gratitude,
Kaylene Peoples
Buy the Romantic Bossa-Nova: https://payhip.com/b/347OL
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