Daughter of João Gilberto and Miúcha, Bebel was born in New York, where her parents were living at the time. She started singing at an early age, doing backing vocals on albums for children. After a few attempts as a solo artist in Brazil in the 80s, she wrote songs with Cazuza and other pop/rockers, managing to put out an EP through Warner (which featured the hits "Mais Feliz" and "Eu Preciso Dizer Que Te Amo"). Bebel moved to New York in 1991. Alternating between the United states and England, she has worked with David Byrne, Arto Lindsay and DJ Towa Tei (former Dee-Lite member), always trying to blend bossa nova into fresh musical concepts. Her first solo album, "Tanto Tempo", was released in 2000 on Ziriguiboom (a division of Belgian label Crammed), and escalated to the top of the charts in the World Music category. "Tanto Tempo", produced by Yugoslavian-born Brazilian Suba – who died shortly before the release of the CD – features versions of bossa nova standards like "Samba da Bênção" (Baden Powell/ Vinicius de Moraes), besides a track by her uncle Chico Buarque ("Samba e Amor"), a reading of "Bananeira" (Donato/Gilberto Gil), produced by João Donato, and brand new Bebel Gilberto songs.