Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal has died at the age of 89, his family announced on Saturday.
Pascoal, known for his long white beard and hair, earned the nickname “The Sorcerer” for his ability to create music using a wide range of instruments and everyday objects.
In a statement on Instagram, his family said he died “with serenity and love,” surrounded by relatives and fellow musicians. They noted that at the moment of his passing, Pascoal’s band was performing on stage, “just as he would have wished: making sound and music.”
Born in Alagoas state in northeastern Brazil, Pascoal rose to international prominence through collaborations with jazz great Miles Davis and performances with other top musicians. Davis recorded some of Pascoal’s compositions, cementing his reputation as an innovative force in global jazz.
Pascoal was celebrated as a virtuoso who mastered multiple instruments and was renowned for his improvisational skill.
Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso paid tribute on Instagram, describing Pascoal as “one of the highest points in the history of music in Brazil.”