Brazilian musicians who had performed at the Carnegie Hall concert, traveled to Washington, D.C., for another sold-out performance. The concert on December 5, 1962 at the Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, was presented by the Brazilian American Institute and the Brazilian ambassador, Roberto de Oliveira Campos. The audience of over 2,000 people, which included many diplomats and government officials, was treated to what the Washington Post called “an enchanted concert.”
The Charlie Byrd Trio from Washington, D.C., appeared on the program along with Brazil’s bossa nova elite, João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, Sérgio Mendes, Roberto Menescal, Sérgio Ricardo, Agostinho dos Santos, Milton Banana (Antônio de Souza), Oscar Castro-Neves, and Carlos Lyra. Felix Grant assisted in organizing the event and served as master of ceremonies.
In a letter to Felix Grant, ambassador Roberto de Oliveira Campos wrote: “There is no doubt but that your cooperation in organizing this event and your excellent introduction of the artists contributed greatly to the outstanding success of the program. I am sure, also, that your pioneer efforts in presenting Brazilian popular music to the listeners of your program on WMAL were instrumental in making this concert so well received.”
The Voice of America transmitted the concert by short wave to Brazil in a two-hour special.