Hermeto Pascoal
About
Hermeto Pascoal is a noted Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist. His compositions appear on albums by Miles Davis and other jazz heavyweights. Pascoal’s sextet is an extra-sensory musical unit that has been with him for over 10 years and rehearses daily. The music runs from the lyrical and romantic to raucous, from folkloric to his futuristic angular melodies, often creating a dense barrage of sound. The band sometimes uses synthesizers and saxophones as well as a battery of invented instruments—hub caps, teapots, and bowls of rocks—guided by Hermeto’s wizardry and benevolent spirit.
Artist Links: Website | Facebook | Wikipedia
Areas of Representation: Worldwide
Biography
Hermeto Pascoal was born June 22, 1936 in Olho d’Agua das Flores in Alagoas, the Brazilian Northeast. He was a child musical prodigy : he started with the flute and at the age of eight he was already playing sanfona, a button accordeon. By eleven he was performing at dances and forrós in the region around Arapiraca. When he was fourteen, his family moved to Recife, and Hermeto began to earn money on radio programs there, playing with a group with his brother, Jose Neto. By the end of the 1950s he moved once again, to the south of the country. His voracious musical appetite was already careening, as Hermeto began learning to play almost any instrument he came across: piano, bass, reeds, everything. Like every musician of the era, he formed bossa nova groups in the early ’60s, playing with artists who today have well respected careers, among them Airto Moreira, Heraldo do Monte and Sivuca (with whom he had an accordeon trio called ‘O Mundo em Chamas’ (World on Fire)). In 1964, he formed the Sambrasa Trio with Airto Moreira and bassist Humberto Clayber. “When I met him, he was subbing for other accordionists, and we started getting him work” reported Moreira. We would often stay up all night talking about music”.Later, Airto was in a band called Trio Novo with guitarists Heraldo do Monte and Theo de Barros; Hermeto joined them and the group changed its name to Quarteto Novo. The quartet dedicated itself to progressive re-invention of northeastern song styles. “We played baião, xaxado, other northeastern Brazilian rhythms, but the arrangements were very jazzy, in 4/4 time with modern harmonies”. Unfortunately, the band cut just one album – 1967’s Quarteto Novo. This group exerted such a decisive influence upon Brazilian instrumental music in the sixties that its effect can still be felt today.
In 1970 Airto invited Hermeto to the United States to record an album. Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Pearson and Flora Purim also sent him plane tickets. Hermeto’s lack of English caused him problems. But as he says, the only thing you have to know how to say in the United States is, “Where is my money?” He also recorded with the great Miles Davis, and contributed two songs to the trumpeters acclaimed 1970 album “Live Evil”: Igrejinha (Little Church) and “Nem Um Talvez” (Not even a maybe).
While in North America, the multi-instrumentalist drew raves both for his extraordinary improvisational abilities in concert and for his idiosyncratic and original compositions. His material was recorded by such diverse artists as Gil Evans and the Berlin Symphony.
Hermeto’s songs explored choro, frevo, maxixe, baião, jazz and many other forms, mixing them freely and in unusual combinations. Individual songs often had multiple rhythms.
He returned to Brazil in 1973, recorded A Musica Livre De Hermeto Paschoal, before heading back north to the United States in 1976 to record Slave’s Mass. That album featured one of Hermeto’s most unusual instruments – piglets, whose little grunts he incorporated into the music – along with the human talents of Airto, Flora Purim, Laudir de Oliveira, Raul de Souza, David Amaro, Ron Carter, and Alphonso Johnson. Lyle Mays has said: “Hermeto is worth listening to just for his wild creativity. His music tends to show me the possibilities that I should try to open myself up to explore. He has real devotion to the making of music and it comes across – let’s go for it, let’s do everything we can!” His records are indeed free-wheeling and uninhibited, and they usually feature the backing of Pernambuco (percussion), Jovino Santos Neto (keyboards and flutes), Marcio Bahia (drums), Carlos Malta (flutes, saxophones), and Itibere Zwarg (bass), all very talented musicians.
From 1983 to 1989 he recorded for a small, audiophile label called Som Da Gente, specialized in instrumental music. In 1990’s he only released 2 studio albums: “Festa dos Deuses” in 1992 and “Eu e Eles” in 1999. In the latter he played all instruments himself, and there is dozens of them.
Source: The Billboard Book Of Brazilian Music by Chris McGowan & Ricardo Pessanha.
Tour Dates
Future Tour Dates
Tour History
2019
May 18, 2019 | Venue Info | |
Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Japan | Yatsushiro Harmony Hall | |
5:30 PM |
May 16, 2019 | Venue Info | |
Chuou-ku, Osaka Japan | Dawn Center Osaka | |
7:00 PM |
May 13, 2019 | Venue Info | |
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan | Billboard Live Tokyo | |
6:30 / 9:30 |
May 11, 2019 | Venue Info | |
Fuji, Shizuoaka Japan | Fuji & Sun | |
7:30 PM |
2018
May 13, 2018 | Venue Info | |
Tokyo, AL JAPAN | WWW X | |
May 12, 2018 | Venue Info | |
Tokyo, AL JAPAN | WWW X | |
May 11, 2018 | Venue Info | |
Osaka, 531-0075 JAPAN | Umeda Shangri-la | |
7:30PM |
May 10, 2018 | Venue Info | |
Kumamota, JAPAN | Yatsushiro Harmony Hall | |
7:00PM |
2017
Nov 12, 2017 | San Bernardo Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
San Bernardo, Region Metropolitana CHILE | Parque GarcÃa de la Huerta | |
7 PM. |
Nov 11, 2017 | San Bernardo Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
San Bernardo, Region Metropolitana CHILE | Parque GarcÃa de la Huerta | |
7 PM. |
Nov 10, 2017 | San Bernardo Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
San Bernardo, Region Metropolitana CHILE | Parque GarcÃa de la Huerta | |
7 PM. |
Sep 15, 2017 | ASU Jazz Festival | |
Asuncion, Paraguay | ASU JAZZ | |
11:15PM |
Apr 7, 2017 | Venue Info | |
San Francisco, CA USA | Miner Auditorium | |
7:30 PM |
Apr 5, 2017 | Savannah Music Festival | Venue Info |
Savannah, GA USA | Lucas Theatre for the Arts | |
8:50PM |
Jan 8, 2017 | Venue Info | |
Tokyo, JAPAN | WWW X | |
Time TBD |
Jan 7, 2017 | Venue Info | |
Tokyo, JAPAN | WWW X | |
Time TBD |
2016
Jul 16, 2016 | Venue Info | |
Madrid, SPAIN | Teatro Circo Price | |
Time TBD |
Jul 14, 2016 | Canary Islands Jazz Festival | |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SPAIN | Teatro Leal | |
9:30 PM |
Jul 13, 2016 | Canary Islands Jazz Festival | |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SPAIN | Teatro Leal | |
9:30 PM |
Jul 12, 2016 | ||
Valladolid, Valladolid SPAIN | Patio de San Benito | |
10:00PM |
Jul 10, 2016 | ||
Rudolstadt, GERMANY | Konzerbuhne Heinepark | |
7:30PM |
Jul 9, 2016 | Venue Info | |
London, UK | Barbican Center | |
7:30PM |
Jul 7, 2016 | Venue Info | |
Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS | LantarenVenster | |
8:30PM |
Jul 6, 2016 | Valencia Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
Valencia, SPAIN | Palau de la Musica - Sala Iturbi | |
Time TBD |
Jul 5, 2016 | ||
Barcelona, SPAIN | Jamboree Jazz Club | |
Time TBD |
Jul 3, 2016 | Getxo Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
Vizcaya, Getxo SPAIN | Plaza Biotz Alai de Getxo | |
10:00PM |
2015
Nov 7, 2015 | ||
Sao Paulo, SP BRASIL | Auditorio Ibirapuera | |
Nov 6, 2015 | ||
Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL | Espaco BNDES | |
Nov 1, 2015 | ||
Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL | Teatro | |
Sep 19, 2015 | Festival Choro Jazz | Cancelled |
Barra Grande, Piaui BRASIL | Ar Livre | |
Jul 31, 2015 | ||
Petropolis, RJ BRASIL | Teatro | |
7:30PM |
Jul 17, 2015 | Venue Info | |
Berlin, GERMANY | Radialsystem V | |
10:00 PM |
Jul 15, 2015 | Venue Info | |
Ludwigsburg, GERMANY | Scala Ludwigsburg | |
8:00 PM |
Jul 12, 2015 | ||
Sao Paulo, SP BRASIL | Centro Cultural Sao Paulo | |
Time TBD |
Jul 11, 2015 | ||
Sao Paulo, SP BRASIL | Sala Olido | |
Time TBD |
Apr 11, 2015 | Venue Info | |
Godoy Cruz, Mendoza ARGENTINA | Cine Plaza | |
Time TBD |
Jan 3, 2015 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Farol da Barra | |
8:45PM |
2014
Dec 12, 2014 | ||
Itajuba, MG BRASIL | Centro de Convivencia | |
8:30PM |
Nov 22, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Pelotas, RS BRASIL | Rua do Jazz | |
22:00hrs |
Nov 22, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Pelotas, RS BRASIL | Rua do Jazz | |
22:00hrs |
Oct 26, 2014 | ||
Maringa, PR BRASIL | Teatro Calil Haddad | |
20:30 |
Oct 13, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires ARGENTINA | Tecnopolis | |
Oct 12, 2014 | Porto Alegre Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
Porto Alegre, RS BRASIL | Centro de Eventos | |
11:00PM |
Sep 24, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Florianopolis, SC BRASIL | CIC - Centro Integrado de Cultura | |
Sep 14, 2014 | ||
Campinas, SP BRASIL | Concha Acustica do Taquaral | |
16:00 |
Sep 6, 2014 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Salao Nobre | |
Sep 5, 2014 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Salao Nobre | |
Sep 4, 2014 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Salao Nobre | |
Sep 3, 2014 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Salao Nobre | |
Sep 2, 2014 | ||
Salvador, BA BRASIL | Salao Nobre | |
Aug 3, 2014 | ||
Brasilia, DF BRASIL | Teatro da Caixa | |
20:00 |
Aug 2, 2014 | ||
Brasilia, DF BRASIL | Teatro da Caixa | |
20:00 |
Aug 1, 2014 | ||
Brasilia, DF BRASIL | Teatro da Caixa | |
20:00 |
Jun 22, 2014 | ||
Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL | Teatro Arena | |
Jun 21, 2014 | ||
Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL | Teatro Arena | |
May 11, 2014 | ||
Jundiai, Brasil | SESC Jundiai | |
May 10, 2014 | ||
Americana, SP Brasil | SESC Americana | |
May 9, 2014 | ||
Mogi Mirim, SP Brasil | SESC Mogi Mirim | |
May 7, 2014 | ||
Sao Paulo, SP Brasil | SESC Pinheiros | |
May 6, 2014 | ||
Sao Paulo, SP Brasil | SESC Pinheiros | |
May 4, 2014 | ||
Sao Caetano, Brasil | SESC Sao Caetano | |
May 3, 2014 | ||
Maua, Brasil | SESC Maua | |
May 2, 2014 | ||
Guarulhos, SP Brasil | SESC Guarulhos | |
Apr 27, 2014 | ||
Votorantim, Brasil | SESC Votorantim | |
Apr 26, 2014 | ||
Itu, Brasil | SESC Itu | |
Apr 25, 2014 | ||
Sao Roque, Brasil | SESC Sao Roque | |
Apr 11, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Curitiba, PR BRASIL | Teatro Do SESC | |
Mar 30, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Recife, Brasil | CAIXA Cultural Recife | |
27,28,29 at 9 PM | 30 at 7 PM |
Mar 29, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Recife, Brasil | CAIXA Cultural Recife | |
27,28,29 at 9 PM | 30 at 7 PM |
Mar 28, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Recife, Brasil | CAIXA Cultural Recife | |
27,28,29 at 9 PM | 30 at 7 PM |
Mar 27, 2014 | Venue Info | |
Recife, Brasil | CAIXA Cultural Recife | |
27,28,29 at 9 PM | 30 at 7 PM |
Mar 20, 2014 | ||
Vila Mariana, SP Brasil | SESC - Vila Mariana | |
9 PM |
Mar 18, 2014 | ||
Moema, Sao Paulo Brasil | Bourbon Street Music Club | |
9:30 PM |
2013
Dec 22, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Agua Branca, Sao Paulo, SP Brasil | SESC Pompeia | |
7:00 PM |
Dec 21, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Agua Branca, Sao Paulo, SP Brasil | SESC Pompeia | |
9:00 PM |
Jul 29, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Barcelona, ES | Sala Apolo | |
9:30PM |
Jul 28, 2013 | Glatt & Verkerht Festival | Venue Info |
Krems, | Glatt & Verkerht Winzer Krems | |
9:00PM |
Jul 26, 2013 | Vannes Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
Vannes, FRANCE | Chateau de Limure | |
10:30pm |
Jul 22, 2013 | ||
Paris, France | New Morning | |
9:00PM |
Jul 20, 2013 | Festival Musicas do Mundo | Venue Info |
Sines, Alentejo Portugal | FMM Sines | |
Jul 19, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Soho London, UK | Ronnie Scott's | |
Jul 18, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Soho London, UK | Ronnie Scott's | |
Jul 17, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Soho London, UK | Ronnie Scott's | |
Jul 14, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Rotterdam, Netherlands | North Sea Jazz Festival Ahoy Rotterdam | |
Jul 13, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Trencin, Slovakia | Pahoda Festival | |
Mar 24, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Rimini, ITALY | Teatro degli Atti | |
9:00PM |
Mar 23, 2013 | Bergamo Jazz Festival | Venue Info |
Bergamo, ITALY | Teatro Donizetti | |
10:30PM |
Mar 21, 2013 | Venue Info | |
ROME, ITALY | Auditorium Parco della Musica | |
9:00PM |
Mar 19, 2013 | ||
Zurich, SWITZERLAND | Moods | |
8:00PM |
Mar 18, 2013 | Venue Info | |
Lugano, SWITZERLAND | Teatro Cittadella | |
8:30PM |
2012
Sep 29, 2012 | Drammen Sacred Festival | |
Drammen, NORWAY | Union Scene | |
7:00PM |
Sep 26, 2012 | Drammen Sacred Festival | |
Drammen, NORWAY | Union Scene | |
8:00PM |
Jul 29, 2012 | ||
Belo Horizonte, MG BRASIL | Savassi Festival | |
Jul 7, 2012 | ||
Tatui, CP BRASIL | Conservatorio de Tatui | |
Jul 4, 2012 | ||
Brasilia, DF BRASIL | Teatro Nacional de Brasilia | |
Jul 3, 2012 | ||
Brasilia, DF BRASIL | Teatro Nacional de Brasilia | |
Jun 15, 2012 | Santos Jazz Festival | |
Santos, SP BRASIL | Teatro Guarany | |
Jun 14, 2012 | Santos Jazz Festival | |
Santos, SP BRASIL | Teatro Coliseu | |
9:00PM |
May 17, 2012 | ||
Coutances, FRANCE | Salle Marcel Helie | |
6:30PM |
Videos
News
- Hermeto Pascoal Wins 2019 Latin GrammyWe are very pleased to announce that on November 14, 2019, the 2019 Latin Grammy was awarded to Hermeto Pascoal in the category Best Portuguese Language Roots Album for his recording “Hermeto Pascoal E Sua Visão Original Do Forró” – Hermeto Pascoal (Scubidu Music).
- Hermeto Pascoal Featured in Jazz Journal
Hermeto Pascoal, that crazy Brazilian albino
David Block ventures into the eccentric musical world of the intuitive multi-instrumentalist who became a global jazz name when he played on Miles Davis’s 1970 album Live-EvilBy
Jazz Journal – February 27, 2019Hermeto Pascoal is an enigma. He creates music out of almost any object that he can get his hands ...
Press
But above all it is the collective joy and musicality, the sense of being in the presence of a unique creative fountainhead who has changed music for ever, and left his happy mark on future generations of musicians. – LONDON JAZZ NEWS
A virtuoso pianist, accordionist and flautist, Pascoal has long preferred rather more unconventional ways of producing sounds and songs: napkins, carpets, chairs, pints of beer, body parts, kitchen utensils, animals even. A pig, famously, features on a 1977 album. — THE GUARDIAN
Pascoal first gained international recognition through his performance on Miles Davis’s Live-Evil recording in the early 1970s, with Davis later calling him ‘the most impressive musician in the world’. — BBC
Pascoal, showman and shaman, revels in this this kind of set-up. He wanders around the stage, examining his players, or polishing the drummer’s bald head. He picks up a teapot fitted with a mouthpiece and half-filled with water; he gurgles a few notes and then pours the contents onto his own head. He blows a kazoo and then takes a solo on an actual cow horn, before stabbing out a few flinty chords on the keyboard. — JAZZ JOURNAL
Downloads/Media
Technical Riders:
Hermeto Pascoal Rider: Download (pdf)
Press Photos (high resolution):
- 2MB
- 7MB
- 85KB