Hermeto Pascoal
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Hermeto Pascoal is a Brazilian jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist born in Arapiraca, countryside of Alagoas (Northeast Brazil).
He uses nature as a basis for his compositions. Hermeto often uses non-coventional instruments such as teapots, children's toys and, sometimes, animals. He is an energetic and virtuosic soloist who can play proficiently on basically any instrument: keyboards, soprano saxophone, guitar, flute, voice, various brass instruments, and many non-traditional things as well. A Brazilian television broadcast from 1999 showed him soloing at one point by singing into a cup with his mouth partially submerged in water.
He initially came to the public's attention through an appearance on Miles Davis' 1971 album Live/Evil, which featured Pascoal on several studio pieces (which he also composed). Davis has said that Pascoal was "the most impressive musician in the world". Later collaborations involved fellow Brazilian musicians Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. From the late 70's on he has mostly led his own groups, playing at many prestigious venues, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1979.
Known as o bruxo (the sorcerer) or o mago (the magician), Pascoal is a true albino and a very large man. He suffered from ridicule in his native birthplace and loved America because, he said, he was respected there for his music and was not seen as a "monster" by people on the street. Today, however, he is widely respected and well-known in his country.
Discography
- Eu E Eles (1999)
- Festa Dos Deuses (1992)
- Hermeto Solo - Por Diferentes Caminhos (1988)
- Só Não Toca Quem Não Quer (1987)
- Brasil Universo (1986)
- Lagoa Da Canoa, Município De Arapiraca (1984)
- Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo (1982)
- Cérebro Magnético (1980)
- Ao Vivo Montreux Jazz Festival (1979)
- Zabumbê-Bum-Á (1979)
- Slaves Mass (1976)
- A Música Livre De Hermeto Pascoal (1973)
- Hermeto (1970)
Extras
- Brasil Musical - Série Música Viva - Pau Brasil E Hermeto Pascoal (1996)
- Instrumental No Ccbb - Renato Borghetti E Hermeto Pascoal (1993)
- Montreux Jazz Festival (1982)
- Seeds On The Ground - The Natural Sounds Of Airto (1971)
- Natural Feelings (1970)