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Hermeto Pascoal

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Hermeto Pascoal
Hermeto Pascoal in 2023
Hermeto Pascoal in 2023
Background information
Birth nameHermeto Pascoal Oliveira da Costa
Born(1936-06-22)22 June 1936
Olho d'Água das Flores, Alagoas, Brazil
Died13 September 2025(2025-09-13) (aged 89)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
GenresJazz, Forró, Samba
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • accordion
  • flute
  • saxophone
  • guitar
Years active1964–2025
LabelsBand/musisi
WebsiteOfficial website

Hermeto Pascoal Oliveira da Costa (22 June 1936 – 13 September 2025) was a Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist.[1] Pascoal was best known in Brazilian music for his orchestration and improvisation, as well as for being a record producer and contributor to many Brazilian and international albums.

Life and career

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Early life and career

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Pascoal live in Buenos Aires 1978.

Pascoal was born on 22 June 1936 in Olho d'Água das Flores in Northeastern Brazil, in an area that lacked electricity at the time he was born. He learned the accordion from his father and practiced for hours indoors, as, being born with albinism, he was incapable of working in the countryside with the rest of his family.[2][3] As a child, Pascoal idolised baião accordionist Luiz Gonzaga and he inspire both Pascoal and his brother, José Neto, to pursue music.[4]

From an early age, Pascoal played the button accordion.[5][6][7] At age seven, he started with the flute.[8] Pascoal was a self-taught child prodigy. When he was eleven, he started performing in musical groups with his brother and father. He and his family moved between Recife and Caruaru several times. Pascoal starting playing in some groups there that would start getting radio time.[5][6][7][9] With his brother and Sivuca, who both also had albinism, he formed an accordion trio called O Mundo em Chamas for a short time.[9]

Pascoal taught himself piano, woodwind and percussion instruments.[9] At the end of the 1950s, Pascoal had moved to the south of the country and eked out a living as a musician in Rio and São Paulo.[9] In 1960, he picked up the saxophone and created the group Som Quatro.[5][6][7]

In 1964, he played in the Sambrasa Trio, with Airto Moreira and Humberto Clayber.[9] They released only one album, Em Som Maior. Then he joined Trio Novo (Airto Moreira, Heraldo do Monte, Theo de Barros) and in 1967 the group, renamed Quarteto Novo, released an album that launched the careers of Pascoal and Moreira.[10] Pascoal would then go on to join the multi-faceted group Brazilian Octopus.[11]

International fame

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Hermeto Pascoal and group, 2009

Pascoal initially caught the international public's attention with an appearance on Miles Davis's 1971 album Live-Evil, which featured him on three pieces, which he also composed.[3] Davis allegedly called Pascoal "the most impressive musician in the world".[12] Later collaborations involved fellow Brazilian musicians Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. From the late 1970s onward, he has mostly led his own groups, playing at many prestigious venues, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1979. Other members of the group have included bassist Itibere Zwarg, pianist Jovino Santos-Neto and percussionists Nene, Pernambuco, and Zabelê.[11]

Between 1996 and 1997, Pascoal worked on a book project called Calendário do Som, which contains a song for every day of the year, including 29 February, so that everyone would have a song for their birthday.[3]

He later returned to the Jabour neighborhood in Bangu, Rio de Janeiro, where he spent much of his time composing, rehearsing and hosting musicians from all over the world.[13]

In 2019, his album Hermeto Pascoal e Sua Visão Original do Forró won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Roots Album.[14]

Personal life and death

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Pascoal was married to Ilza da Silva, to whom he dedicated many compositions, from 1954 until her death in 2000. They had six children, Jorge, Fábio, Flávia, Fátima, Fabiula, and Flávio, and many grandchildren. Hermeto was later married to Aline Morena from 2003 until 2016, while living in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.[15][16][13][17]

Pascoal died from multiple organ failure in Rio de Janeiro, on 13 September 2025, at the age of 89.[18][19]

Music

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Pascoal was a multi-instrumentalist who would switch between instruments in performance.[20] Known as o Bruxo (the Sorcerer), he often made music with unconventional objects such as teapots, children's toys, and animals, as well as keyboards, button accordions, melodica, saxophones, guitars, flutes, voices, various brass and folkloric instruments.[21][3][22] He used nature as a basis for his compositions, as in his Música da Lagoa, in which the musicians burble water and play glass bottles and flutes while immersed in a lagoon: a Brazilian television broadcast from 1999 showed him soloing at one point by singing into a cup with his mouth partially submerged in water. Folk music from rural Brazil is another important influence in his work.[3]

Discography

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  • Conjunto Som 4 (Continental, 1964), with Conjunto Som 4[1]
  • Em Som Maior (Som Maior, 1966), with Sambrasa Trio[1]
  • Quarteto Novo (EMI, 1967), with Quarteto Novo[23]
  • Brazilian Octopus (Som Livre/Fermata, 1970), with Brazilian Octopus[1]
  • Hermeto Pascoal (Buddah, 1970, Muse, 1988)[1][24]
  • A música livre de Hermeto Pascoal (Polygram, 1973)[24]
  • Slaves Mass (Warner, 1977)[24]
  • Zabumbê-bum-á (Warner Brazil, 1979)[24]
  • Ao vivo Montreux (Warner Brazil, 1979)[24]
  • Nova história da Música Popular Brasileira (compilation) (1979)
  • Cérebro magnético (Warner Brazil, 1980)[24]
  • Planetário da Gávea (1981)[25]
  • Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo (Som da Gente, 1982)[24]
  • Lagoa da Canoa, Município de Arapiraca (Som da Gente, 1984)[24]
  • Brasil Universo (Som da Gente, 1985)[24]
  • Só não toca quem não quer (Som da Gente, 1987)[23]
  • Hermeto solo: por diferentes caminhos (Som da Gente, 1988)[1]
  • A Musica Livre de Hermeto Paschoal [sic] (Verve, 1990)[26]
  • Festa dos deuses (Polygram 1992)[1]
  • Instrumental no CCBB (1993), with Renato Borghetti[1]
  • Brasil Musical (Tom Brasil Produções Musicais, 1993), with Pau Brasil[27]
  • Eu e eles (Radio MEC, 1999)[1]
  • Mundo verde esperança (Radio MEC, 2002)[28]
  • Chimarrão com rapadura (self released, 2006), with Aline Morena[1][28]
  • Bodas de Latão (Tratore, 2010), with Aline Morena[1]
  • Hermeto Pascoal: The Monash Sessions (Jazzhead, 2013), with the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music[29]
  • No Mundo dos Sons (SESC-SP, 2017)[28]
  • Viajando com o som (Far Out, 2017, recorded in 1976)[30]
  • Natureza Universal (self-released, 2017)[28]
  • Made of Music (Budweiser 2018)[31]
  • E sua visão original do forró (2018, recorded 1999)[32][33]
  • Pra Você, Ilza (Rocinante, 2024)[34]

As contributor

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Bibliography

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  • Calendário do Som (Senac, 2000, ISBN 8573591358, OCLC 52331774)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Hermeto Pascoal Discography - Slipcue.com Brazilian Music Guide".
  2. ^ Rohter, Larry (14 September 2025). "Hermeto Pascoal, Prolific Brazilian Composer, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e Neder, Alvaro. "Hermeto Pascoal". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  4. ^ Neto 2011, p. 139.
  5. ^ a b c "Hermeto Pascoal Booking & Management". www.akamu.net. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Hermeto Pascoal (orch. Jovino Santos Neto)". LA Phil. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Kennedy, Gary W. (2003), "Pascoal, Hermeto", Oxford Music Online, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.j662500, retrieved 25 April 2025
  8. ^ McGowan & Pessanha 1991, p. 159.
  9. ^ a b c d e McGowan & Pessanha, p. 159.
  10. ^ "N. Scott Robinson-World Music and Percussion, Frame Drums, Riq, Tambourines". Nscottrobinson.com. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b "The Strange World Of… Hermeto Pascoal". The Quietus. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  12. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (2018). "Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo Vice Versa: Viajando Com O Som (The Lost '76 Vice-Versa Studio Session) (Far Out)". JazzTimes. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Aos 80, multi-instrumentista Hermeto Pascoal ainda se sente uma criança". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  14. ^ Cabo, Leila (14 November 2019). "Latin Grammys 2019 Winners: Complete List". Billboard. MRC. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Aos 77 anos, músico cult Hermeto Pascoal agora quer ser pop - 23/02/2014 - Serafina - Folha de S.Paulo". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  16. ^ "Aline e Hermeto - namoro musical em Santa Felicidade". Gazeta do Povo (in Portuguese). 12 June 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  17. ^ Rohter, Larry (29 October 2004). "Brazilian Jazz Master Begins U.S. Tour". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  18. ^ Schomberg, William; Schomberg, William (14 September 2025). "Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal, known as 'The Sorcerer', dies aged 89". Reuters. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  19. ^ "Morre Hermeto Pascoal, ícone da música instrumental, aos 89 anos". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 13 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  20. ^ McGowan & Pessanha, p. 158-159.
  21. ^ Pareles, Jon (8 August 2010). "Razor-Edged Sound (Thump-a-Thump-a)". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  22. ^ Pareles, Jon (2 November 2004). "Playful Complexities via Zany Professor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h Neto 2015, p. 156.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i Neto 2015, p. 155.
  25. ^ Micallef, Ken (12 August 2024). "Hermeto Pascoal E Grupo: Planetário da Gávea (Far Out)". JazzTimes.
  26. ^ MacGowan, Chris; MacGowan, Christopher; Pessanha, Ricardo (1998). The Brazilian sound: samba, bossa nova, and the popular music of Brazil. Philadelphia: Temple Univ. Press. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-56639-544-1.
  27. ^ "BRASIL MUSICAL - HERMETO PASCOAL E PAU BRASIL - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d "Hermeto Pascoal - Discografia Brasileira". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  29. ^ "Hermeto Pascoal The Monash Sessions, by Hermeto Pascoal Featuring Doug deVries, Robert Burke, Paul Williamson, Jordan Murray". Jazzhead. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  30. ^ "Viajando Com O Som - Record Collector Magazine". Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  31. ^ "Hermeto Pascaol / Budweiser: advert-body-1 by Africa". The Drum. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Hermeto Pascoal, Music Man". www.qwest.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  33. ^ "Hermeto Pascoal e sua Visão Original do Forró (2018), by Hermeto Pascoal". Hermeto Pascoal. Archived from the original on 24 May 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  34. ^ Facchi, Cleber (14 June 2024). "Crítica | Hermeto Pascoal: 'Pra Você, Ilza'". Música Instantânea (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  35. ^ Kelman, John (10 February 2015). "Hermeto Pascoal: Slaves Mass article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  36. ^ "BATUCANDO NO MORRO - PERNAMBUCO DO PANDEIRO E SEU REGIONAL - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  37. ^ a b Amorosi, A. D. (15 September 2025). "Hermeto Pascoal: A Hurricane of Multiple Musics". JazzTimes. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  38. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2001). All music guide : the definitive guide to popular music. Internet Archive. San Francisco : Backbeat Books/All Media Guide. p. 918. ISBN 978-0-87930-627-4.
  39. ^ "Di Melo comemora 50 anos de seu álbum homônimo, um clássico da soul music brasileira | EBC Rádios". radios.ebc.com.br. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  40. ^ Lord, Tom (1999), The jazz discography. 22: Straight Talk to Ole Thomsen, West Vancouver: Lord Music Reference Inc, p. 276, ISBN 978-1-881993-21-6
  41. ^ Purim, Flora (1976). Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (Vinyl). Milestone.
  42. ^ Ingalls, Chris (4 December 2024). "Opa's 'Goldenwings' Is a South American Jazz Fusion Classic » PopMatters". Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  43. ^ "Stone Alliance ~ Discography". www.stonealliance.com. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  44. ^ "Raimundo Fagner Discography -- Slipcue.Com Brazilian Music Guide". www.slipcue.com. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  45. ^ Sivuca (1979). Sivuca (Vinyl). Copacabana.
  46. ^ Grim, William (25 November 2002). "Elis Regina: Live in Montreux album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  47. ^ Do Monte, Heraldo (1983). Cordas Vivas (Vinyl). Som Da Gente. SDG-015/83.
  48. ^ Nenê (1984). Ponto do músicos (Vinyl). Maracatu. MAR002.
  49. ^ Cultural, Instituto Itaú. "Balãozinho". Enciclopédia Itaú Cultural. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  50. ^ "CORDAS MÁGICAS - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  51. ^ "PINDORAMA - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  52. ^ "DHARANA - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  53. ^ "OFERENDA - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  54. ^ "MARÍTIMO - Discos do Brasil". discografia.discosdobrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  55. ^ "Zé Ramalho: Discografia". www.zeramalho.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  56. ^ Jazz, All About. "Jazz Album: Serenata - The Music of Hermeto Pascoal by Mike Marshall". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  57. ^ Leitão, Egídio. "Jovino Santos Neto: Roda Carioca". musicabrasileira.org. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  58. ^ Arthur, Craig (19 February 2023). "Dan Costa: Beams album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 September 2025.

Sources

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