Brazil is mourning the loss of Hermeto Pascoal, the visionary jazz multi-instrumentalist celebrated worldwide for his boundless creativity and improvisational genius, who has died aged 89.
His family confirmed his passing in a statement on Instagram on Saturday, saying he died “with serenity and love,” surrounded by relatives and fellow musicians. At the moment of his death, they added, Pascoal’s band was performing on stage — “just as he would have wished: making sound and music.”
Recognisable by his flowing white beard and hair, Pascoal was nicknamed “O Bruxo” (“The Sorcerer”) for his ability to transform everyday objects — from teapots to children’s toys — into instruments of extraordinary music.
A Global Jazz Innovator
Born in Alagoas, northeastern Brazil, Pascoal began experimenting with sound from a young age, later mastering multiple instruments including piano, flute, saxophone and accordion.
He rose to global prominence in the 1970s through collaborations with Miles Davis, who recorded several of Pascoal’s compositions, praising his daring originality. The Brazilian’s ability to blend folkloric rhythms with avant-garde improvisation made him one of the most distinctive voices in world jazz.
Pascoal performed with leading ensembles and artists across continents, leaving an indelible mark on jazz, experimental music and Brazilian cultural identity.
Tributes Flow for ‘The Sorcerer’
Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso described him as “one of the highest points in the history of music in Brazil,” while countless fans and musicians took to social media to honour his legacy.
For many, Pascoal’s magic lay not only in his virtuosity but in his philosophy that music exists everywhere — in water, in air, in silence. His work redefined the possibilities of sound and inspired generations of musicians around the world.
Hermeto Pascoal leaves behind a legacy of fearless innovation, unmatched in its scope and spirit, ensuring that “The Sorcerer” of Brazilian jazz will remain immortal through his music.
