Brazilian legendary composer and versatile musician Hermeto Pascoal has passed away at the age of 89. Pascoal, whom Miles Davis called “the world’s most important musician,” was known for his innovative style that blended jazz with traditional Brazilian melodies.
Pascoal, who passed away surrounded by his family and musician friends, composed more than 2,000 works throughout his career and continued to produce music into his 80s. The artist, who could play piano and flute, as well as saxophone, guitar, accordion, and drums, frequently created different sound worlds by incorporating everyday objects into his music. Born in 1936 in the rural area of Alagoas, Pascoal was unable to work in the fields due to albinism and spent his days learning music. He began playing at weddings at the age of 10 and rose to prominence on the jazz scene in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s. He performed with names such as Elis Regina and Airto Moreira; He gained international fame in the USA by meeting Miles Davis.Although he was highly respected in the jazz world, Pascoal refused to define himself solely as a jazz musician: “My music is liquid, constantly changing,” he said.
His family, in an announcement made on Instagram, called on those who want to commemorate the artist to play a note and give it to the universe.
