Hermeto Pascoal

The Profile

Hermeto Pascoal (born 1936, Lagoa da Canoa, Alagoas) is a Brazilian composer, arranger, and multi‑instrumentalist famed for his experimental, genre‑defying approach he calls “universal music.” He has collaborated with artists such as Airto Moreira, and Miles Davis recorded his compositions Little Church and Nem Um Talvez on Live‑Evil (1971).

Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist; born 1936 in Lagoa da Canoa, Alagoas; nickname “O Bruxo” (The Wizard); collaborated with Airto Moreira; Miles Davis recorded his pieces Little Church and Nem Um Talvez on Live‑Evil (1971); in 2008 he publicly authorized free copying of his recordings.

One review celebrates Hermeto Pascoal’s boundary-scrambling “universal music,” his childlike inventiveness, and nature-fueled experimentation. It highlights his vast instrumentation, links to Airto Moreira, and the fact Miles Davis recorded two of his compositions. The review recommends Cérebro magnético (1980) as a starting point and recalls his 2008 letter allowing free copying of his records.