SaralnamaHermeto Pascoal, the innovative Brazilian composer famed for his blend of jazz and traditional music, has died at the age of 89. The self taught multi-instrumentalist rose from child poverty to international fame – with Miles Davis calling him the most "important musician on the planet". He was "surrounded by family and fellow musicians," a statement announcing his death says. It did not give details. Pascoal wrote more than 2,000 instrumental pieces and continued to arrange music and record artists well into his 80s. The artist was primarily a pianist and flutist, but also played saxaphone, guitars, drums, and accordions – and frequently incorporated household objects into his work. While recording his debut album Slaves Mass for Warner Brother in 1976, he brought a pair of live pigs into the studio. Born on in a rural settlement… (Updated 14 Sep 2025, 18:04 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- Hermeto Pascoal, the innovative Brazilian composer famed for his blend of jazz and traditional music, has died at the age of 89
- The self taught multi-instrumentalist rose from child poverty to international fame – with Miles Davis calling him the most "important musician on the planet"
- He was "surrounded by family and fellow musicians," a statement announcing his death says