Hermeto Pascoal, the Brazilian musician hailed as 'the Sorcerer' for his ability to conjure music from unconventional sources, has died at the age of 89. A statement on his social media pages confirmed that he passed away on Saturday, surrounded by family and fellow musicians.
Pascoal was a towering figure in Brazilian music, known for his virtuosity on keyboard, guitar, and saxophone, as well as his distinctive white mane and beard. He collaborated with international stars, including Miles Davis, who reportedly called him 'the most impressive musician in the world' and recorded three of Pascoal's compositions on his 1970 album Live-Evil.
Born on 22 June 1936 in Alagoas, Brazil's impoverished north-east, Pascoal was spared farm work due to albinism and instead taught himself to play his father's accordion, inspired by birdsong. After moving to Recife at 14, he honed his craft before heading to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where he recorded with legends like Elis Regina.
Pascoal's eccentricity extended to his instruments: he famously squeezed a live piglet for the opening track of his 1977 album Slaves Mass and experimented with water-filled kettles, children's toys, and cow horns. Despite his jazz associations, he resisted the label, describing his music as 'very liquid' and rooted in Brazilian genres like chorinho and samba.
He continued performing into his 80s, leading groups and encouraging young musicians. In a 2022 London show, he urged a young ensemble to push their limits before launching into his own furious solos.
