Hermeto Pascoal | Artist
Hermeto Pascoal is a Brazilian jazz-fusion composer and multi-instrumentalist born 1936 in Lagoa da Canoa, Brazil. Often hailed as a musical genius, Pascoal emerged as a central figure in the Brazilian music scene, contributing to the development of the influential musical movement known as "tropicalia." Pascoal's musical talents became evident early on, and he quickly mastered a wide array of instruments, including the piano, flute, and various brass and percussion instruments. His proficiency as an instrumentalist, combined with his innate understanding of music theory, laid the foundation for the groundbreaking compositions and arrangements that would come to define his career. His upbringing in a rural setting heavily influenced his unique approach to music, as he incorporated natural sounds and rural elements into his compositions, a practice that would later become a hallmark of his work. In the 1960s, his collaborations with renowned artists such as Elis Regina and Geraldo Vandré helped solidify his reputation as a visionary musician with an avant-garde approach to music. His compositions defied traditional genres, blending elements of jazz, samba, bossa nova, and indigenous Brazilian music to create a sound that was uniquely his own. One of Pascoal's most remarkable attributes is his ability to transform everyday objects and sounds into musical instruments. He has been known to use water, whistles, and even live animals as part of his performances, showcasing his boundless creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional music. 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. Davis allegedly called Pascoal "the most impressive musician in the world". 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. As a recording artist, Pascoal began in 1965 as a member of the legendary Sambrasa Trio, which also included percusionist Airto Moreira. He then move to Quarteto Novo, again with Airto, and cut the brilliant album Quarteto Nova in 1967. Following stints in various other combo's Pascoal embarked on a solo career, releasing his first album Hermeto in 1970. His 1977 album Slaves Mass is often cited as a masterpiece, showcasing his eclectic compositions and fearless experimentation. Tracks such as "Dança do Pajé" and "Chorinho Pra Ele" exemplify his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive and captivating sonic tapestry. To-date the artist has release over twenty studio albums, and several excellent live albums. Standouts include Slaves Mass (1977), Zabumbê-bum-á (1979), Lagoa da Canoa, município de Arapiraca (1984), Festa dos deuses (1992), The Monash Sessions (2013), No mundo dos sons (2017) and Natureza universal (2017). 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 February 29, so that everyone would have a song for their birthday.
Artist Website: hermetopascoal.com.br
Featured Albums: Hermeto Pascoal
Related Artists: Quarteto Novo, Sambrasa Trio
