Brazilian Music Legend Hermeto Pascoal Dies at 89

Brazilian Music Legend Hermeto Pascoal Dies at 89
Above: Hermeto Pascoal performs at the Barbican Centre in London, England, on July 9, 2016. Image copyright: Robin Little/Redferns/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Pascoal's death marks the loss of a true musical revolutionary who refused to be confined by genre boundaries. His fearless experimentation with everything from live animals to household objects was visionary artistry that expanded what music could be. The fact that Miles Davis himself called Pascoal the most important musician on the planet speaks volumes about his genuine impact on jazz and world music.

Narrative B

Hermeto Pascoal earned praise for his unconventional approach to music, but his use of gimmicks — such as squealing pigs and toy trains — often overshadowed his serious musical evaluation. Pascoal's true musical genius really did not require circus-like theatrics to demonstrate its worth.


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All rights reserved.

Version 6.15.2