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 revealed, though details about the circumstances were not shared.
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 saxophone, guitars, drums, and accordions, as well as frequently incorporating household objects into his work.
During the recording of his debut album Slaves Mass for Warner Brothers in 1976, he famously brought a pair of live pigs into the studio.
Born on June 22, 1936, in a rural settlement northeast of Alagoas, Pascoal faced challenges due to his albinism, which prevented him from working outside with his family. Instead, he taught himself music while spending time indoors.
At the age of 10, he began playing at dances and weddings, eventually performing forró and other traditional Brazilian music across the region.
In the late 1950s, he relocated to Rio de Janeiro, discovering the jazz scene, where he performed in nightclubs and joined a radio orchestra.
His innovative blend of jazz and traditional folk styles caught the attention of Brazil's biggest stars, including singer Elis Regina and percussionist Airto Moreira, who accompanied him on a tour to the US, where he met Miles Davis.
Despite earning respect in the jazz world, Pascoal rejected being labeled solely as a jazz musician, stating he owed as much to Brazilian music styles such as chorinho and samba.
When they think I am doing one thing, I am already doing something else... It's very liquid, he noted in an interview with Jazz World in 2022.
His family announced his death on Instagram, urging people to honor Pascoal by letting a single note ring—from an instrument, their voice, or even a kettle—offering it to the universe.
