Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal has passed away at the age of 89, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Renowned for his long white beard and hair, Pascoal earned the nickname “The Sorcerer” for his extraordinary ability to make music using a vast array of instruments and even everyday objects.
In a statement shared on Instagram, his family said he died “with serenity and love,” surrounded by loved ones and fellow musicians. They added that at the time of his passing, Pascoal’s band was performing on stage, “just as he would have wished: making sound and music.”
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Born in Alagoas in northeastern Brazil, Pascoal rose to global recognition through collaborations with jazz great Miles Davis and performances with other prominent musicians. Davis even recorded some of Pascoal’s compositions, solidifying his status as a pioneering figure in jazz worldwide.
Celebrated as a virtuoso, Pascoal was known for his mastery of multiple instruments and his unmatched improvisational talent.
Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso paid tribute to him on Instagram, describing Pascoal as “one of the highest points in the history of music in Brazil.”
