Hermeto Pascoal, an icon of Brazilian music, dies at age 89.
Brazilian music loses one of its greatest geniuses, a world reference in sonic creativity.
247 - Musician Hermeto Pascoal, one of the biggest names in Brazilian music and an internationally revered figure, died this Saturday (13) at the age of 89. The information was released by the family in an official statement.
"With serenity and love, we announce that Hermeto Pascoal has passed on to the spiritual plane, surrounded by his family and musical companions," stated the family note. The statement also highlighted that, at the moment of his death, Hermeto's group was performing on stage, "as he would have wanted: making sound and music."
A master of universal music.
Hermeto Pascoal was born on June 22, 1936, in the village of Olho d'Água, in Lagoa Grande (AL), in the Arapiraca region. He became one of the most creative and original figures in Brazilian music, always seeking new forms of sonic expression, whether on the piano, flute, accordion, or in unusual experiments with everyday objects.
In 2024, already more than eight decades old, she surprised the public again with the release of the album. For You, Ilza, dedicated to his deceased wife. The work earned him the Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album, confirming the artistic vitality he maintained until the end of his life.
In the same year, the artist's first authorized biography was published, Quebra Tudo — A Arte Livre de Hermeto Pascoal (Break Everything — The Free Art of Hermeto Pascoal), written by journalist Vitor Nuzzi, which details his career and his unparalleled musical vision.
A legacy that transcends generations.
The family asked fans to celebrate Hermeto's memory joyfully, as he himself wished. "As he always taught us, let's not let sadness take over: let's listen to the wind, the birdsong, the glass of water, the waterfall, universal music continues to live on," the statement said.
The text also invites admirers to pay tribute to the master: "Whoever wishes to honor him, let a note sound on the instrument, in the voice, on the kettle, and offer it to the universe. That is how he would have wanted it. Gratitude for all the affection along the way."
Recognized as a genius of improvisation and creative freedom, Hermeto Pascoal leaves a legacy that resonates not only in Brazilian music, but throughout the international scene. His work continues to be a reference for musicians, scholars, and admirers who see in him the embodiment of "universal music."
(With information from g1)
