Renowned Brazilian composer and pianist João Donato has passed away at the age of 88.
Driving the news: The death of João Donato, an influential figure in bossa nova and other genres, was confirmed on his verified Instagram account.
* Local media reported that the cause of his passing was pneumonia.
Donato’s legacy: With a career spanning several decades, Donato collaborated with top local and international artists including Chet Baker, João Gilberto, and Sergio Mendes.
* He was renowned for his ability to blend various music genres including samba, bossa nova, jazz, and forro.
* Several of his compositions, such as “A ra” (The Frog), “Bananeira” (Banana Tree), and “Minha Saudade” (My Longing), are recognized as his best-known works.
In their words: Colleagues and fans have paid tribute to Donato’s creativity and influence.
* Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on Twitter: “João Donato saw music in everything. He innovated, he passed through samba, bossa nova, jazz, forro and in the mixture of rhythm built something unique.”
Donato’s personal approach: Although he played an important role in the bossa nova movement, Donato’s impact went beyond a single genre.
* His diverse musical style was illustrated by his statement in a 2014 interview, “I’m not bossa nova, I’m not samba, I’m not jazz, I’m not rumba, I’m not forro. In truth, I’m all of that at the same time.”
* Despite his many contributions, he defied confinement to just one music genre, a trait that added to his unique style and influence in the music world.
This summary was created by an AI system. The use of this summary is subject to our Terms of Service.
Leave a Reply