Becoming a musician in the 1970's there was a constant stream of new music to have to absorb and then learn how to play in every style. Jazz,soul,funk, Afro-Cuban,Brazilian,blues,it was a fantastic time. Then the 80's came and it came to an ugly end with the advent of MTV and the co-opting by big business. What do I do,where do I go? There was this amazing music coming out of Brasil in the mid 80's and Brasil was coming out of its political wilderness as it became a democracy in 1984(Diretas Ja!). I moved to Brasil in 1984 and lived in the New Orleans of Brasil-the city of Salvador and then when I was ready I moved to Rio and lived in the Santa Teresa neighborhood where many artists and musicians lived up the hill from downtown. I played with many Brazilian artists and learned so much every single day,it was as if everything I knew was wrong and I had to start from the beginning on my instrument. Then, Hermeto had a gig at Jazzmania,the jazz club in Leblon next to Ipanema with his band and the two pigs,the tenor and the alto pig. Jovino was part of that show.. There would be that moment where Hermeto would grab one of the pigs and squeeze it for the desired pitch at a given moment in the song. The whole performance was an alchemy of elements never seen by my eyes or ears. When they were done all I could do was to go up to each musician and shake his hand in thanks,not sure of what to even say in my broken Portuguese. It was a night of O Bruxo,the Sorcerer(his nickname) and the spell had been cast. That band in Heaven needs to create a special spot for Hermeto's arrival he will have a lot of instruments with him.
A trye genius! Only a few days ago, a friend gave me some handwritten scores by Hermento Pascoal. They're visually striking, reminders of his creative genius beyond music itself. His passing now makes that gift feel both poignant and timeless, a reminder that his presence endures.
I am so happy you are sharing this article. I saw Hermeto and his group twice.
In march this year he was in Amsterdam and I knew it would be the last time I could hear him. I play in a band called Sorrindo and we play adaptations of pieces of Hermeto. It is the most complex, melodic and happy music that I have ever played. Taking solo’s on these songs is like riding the roller coaster. He could play any instrument. His scores are works of art, he made one on stage at the North Sea Jazz festival the first time I saw him. The song Novena is one of my favorites. He plays the trombone there. I play these lines when I play with my orchestra. The last time he performed on a kettle with a trombone mouthpiece and it sounded great. Everything he did on stage was musical, even thought it wasn’t much. I hope more people will come to hear how extraordinary his musical legacy is.
Wow, what a beautiful tribute. Hermeto Pascoal was known as the wizard of Brazilian music. So many stories, so much genius, and yet such simplicity. I had the privilege of seeing him live in July here in Berlin at a truly special concert at the Neue Nationalgalerie. Today, to honor him, I posted a video I took at that show of him playing the kettle:
I too was blessed with spending an afternoon one on one with Hermeto at his home in Rio de Janeiro suburb, such a gracious and eager host to an admirerer and fellow musician. He was like a kid in a candy store, impishly trying out anything that would sound, vibrate, resonate, both on his vast array of traditional instruments and home appliances, with multiple rubber duckies strapped all over his body, and a swimming pool that turned into a literal sound bath. His body was also unique, very short and wide albino with broad stubby fingers, opposite of classical pianists, so his technique looked more like coordinated mice scurrying, leaping and swatting the keys. He created a unique series "Aura de som" to musically accompany and counterpoint the vocal prosody of figuers like the Brazilian president and the Pope, hilarious. All over the map in such a delightful uninhibited foray. I miss him and am grateful for the liberty he bestowed as the magical muse of music, always all ways.
Along with Beatles, Pink Floyd and John Cage, Hermeto was a deep influence on my film sound work, leading to my book Sound Design, The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. So much appreciation!
an absolutely spectacular insight into Hermeto,s world... congratulations on so clearly presenting to many his genius.I got a chance to play with him in a dressing room after a tremendous show he had just performed with his group..at the same time connecting to Jovino..his long time band member.Much later ..with Jovino,s help we were able to bring home to Toronto...l think it was 2007 or 8...we put together a big band....what a wonderful time all the Toronto musicians and audience had with Hermeto...he gave100 percent....so very inspiring.....even before arriving...he sent 18 coconut shells...where he wrote everyone's name on...we played them in the show...what a gift to the world Hermeto was...thank-you Ted for your deep and beautiful insight
I was blessed with the opportunity to watch him perform in São Paulo, Brazil, 20 years ago. My strongest memory from that concert is that he played anything he could find on stage. He was the music — and life itself was his music sheet, one only he could read. Rest in peace.
This is truly fascinating
Becoming a musician in the 1970's there was a constant stream of new music to have to absorb and then learn how to play in every style. Jazz,soul,funk, Afro-Cuban,Brazilian,blues,it was a fantastic time. Then the 80's came and it came to an ugly end with the advent of MTV and the co-opting by big business. What do I do,where do I go? There was this amazing music coming out of Brasil in the mid 80's and Brasil was coming out of its political wilderness as it became a democracy in 1984(Diretas Ja!). I moved to Brasil in 1984 and lived in the New Orleans of Brasil-the city of Salvador and then when I was ready I moved to Rio and lived in the Santa Teresa neighborhood where many artists and musicians lived up the hill from downtown. I played with many Brazilian artists and learned so much every single day,it was as if everything I knew was wrong and I had to start from the beginning on my instrument. Then, Hermeto had a gig at Jazzmania,the jazz club in Leblon next to Ipanema with his band and the two pigs,the tenor and the alto pig. Jovino was part of that show.. There would be that moment where Hermeto would grab one of the pigs and squeeze it for the desired pitch at a given moment in the song. The whole performance was an alchemy of elements never seen by my eyes or ears. When they were done all I could do was to go up to each musician and shake his hand in thanks,not sure of what to even say in my broken Portuguese. It was a night of O Bruxo,the Sorcerer(his nickname) and the spell had been cast. That band in Heaven needs to create a special spot for Hermeto's arrival he will have a lot of instruments with him.
A trye genius! Only a few days ago, a friend gave me some handwritten scores by Hermento Pascoal. They're visually striking, reminders of his creative genius beyond music itself. His passing now makes that gift feel both poignant and timeless, a reminder that his presence endures.
I am so happy you are sharing this article. I saw Hermeto and his group twice.
In march this year he was in Amsterdam and I knew it would be the last time I could hear him. I play in a band called Sorrindo and we play adaptations of pieces of Hermeto. It is the most complex, melodic and happy music that I have ever played. Taking solo’s on these songs is like riding the roller coaster. He could play any instrument. His scores are works of art, he made one on stage at the North Sea Jazz festival the first time I saw him. The song Novena is one of my favorites. He plays the trombone there. I play these lines when I play with my orchestra. The last time he performed on a kettle with a trombone mouthpiece and it sounded great. Everything he did on stage was musical, even thought it wasn’t much. I hope more people will come to hear how extraordinary his musical legacy is.
Thank you for continuing my music education and broadening my repertoire! You truly are doing mankind a tremendous service.
Wow, what a beautiful tribute. Hermeto Pascoal was known as the wizard of Brazilian music. So many stories, so much genius, and yet such simplicity. I had the privilege of seeing him live in July here in Berlin at a truly special concert at the Neue Nationalgalerie. Today, to honor him, I posted a video I took at that show of him playing the kettle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOlG5UljOz-/
Omg 💎💕🎶💕💎
I too was blessed with spending an afternoon one on one with Hermeto at his home in Rio de Janeiro suburb, such a gracious and eager host to an admirerer and fellow musician. He was like a kid in a candy store, impishly trying out anything that would sound, vibrate, resonate, both on his vast array of traditional instruments and home appliances, with multiple rubber duckies strapped all over his body, and a swimming pool that turned into a literal sound bath. His body was also unique, very short and wide albino with broad stubby fingers, opposite of classical pianists, so his technique looked more like coordinated mice scurrying, leaping and swatting the keys. He created a unique series "Aura de som" to musically accompany and counterpoint the vocal prosody of figuers like the Brazilian president and the Pope, hilarious. All over the map in such a delightful uninhibited foray. I miss him and am grateful for the liberty he bestowed as the magical muse of music, always all ways.
Along with Beatles, Pink Floyd and John Cage, Hermeto was a deep influence on my film sound work, leading to my book Sound Design, The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. So much appreciation!
an absolutely spectacular insight into Hermeto,s world... congratulations on so clearly presenting to many his genius.I got a chance to play with him in a dressing room after a tremendous show he had just performed with his group..at the same time connecting to Jovino..his long time band member.Much later ..with Jovino,s help we were able to bring home to Toronto...l think it was 2007 or 8...we put together a big band....what a wonderful time all the Toronto musicians and audience had with Hermeto...he gave100 percent....so very inspiring.....even before arriving...he sent 18 coconut shells...where he wrote everyone's name on...we played them in the show...what a gift to the world Hermeto was...thank-you Ted for your deep and beautiful insight
I was blessed with the opportunity to watch him perform in São Paulo, Brazil, 20 years ago. My strongest memory from that concert is that he played anything he could find on stage. He was the music — and life itself was his music sheet, one only he could read. Rest in peace.
Hermeto is a hero here in Brazil, so good to see you writing about him!
You missed his first release Quarteto Novo before bossa nova. Also Airto’s first pro recording.