Order of the Southern Cross

Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul

In 1964 Felix Grant was awarded the National Order of the Southern Cross–the highest civilian honor that the Brazilian government can bestow upon a foreigner. Brazilian Ambassador Juracy M. Magalhaes presented the award in recognition of Grant’s broadcasting efforts in behalf of Brazilian music and musicians. Felix Grant is the only radio broadcaster to have received this award.

Quotes

Felix Grant was one of the first—if not the pioneer publicizer of bossa nova in the United States. His genuine enthusiasm for this new style, backed up by his widespread and effective campaign, was actually responsible to a very great extent for the introduction, acceptance and popularity of the bossa nova in an artistic milieu so richly endowed and creatively prolific as the one existing in the United States. In conferring this decoration on you, Mr. Grant, I wish to convey to you, on my behalf, as well as that of the Brazilian government, our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the great contribution you have rendered to the cause of Brazilian-American friendship. - Ambassador Juracy M. Magalhaes