João Donato, composer and multi-instrumentalist, dies at 88

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Songs by João Donato have enchanted the general public over more than 70 years of career, and perhaps many do not recognize the authorship. He recorded with names like Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Martinho da Vila and Gal Costa. João Donato, composer and multi-instrumentalist, dies at 88 The composer and multi-instrumentalist João Donato died this Monday (17). He was hospitalized because of pneumonia. João Donato was born in Acre, in 1934. He was the middle child of a musical family. His father, a military man, played the mandolin in his spare time. When Donato was 11 years old, he moved with his family to Rio de Janeiro and began to frequent music circuits. When her fingers touched the piano keys, a smile always appeared on her face and the world filled with melody. The first composition was at the age of 7 with the accordion he got as a Christmas present. The song was composed for his first great passion, and in it João Donato’s verses already said: “I can’t live without love”. From the accordion he went to the piano, where arrangements and other compositions would be born. João Donato’s love for music appeared in many ways. This son of the north of Brazil took Brazilian music to the world. The first album was recorded at the age of 22 at the invitation of Tom Jobim, artistic director of the label who took turns with Donato on the piano. In 1959, he went to live in Los Angeles, in the United States, where he ended up developing his musical style. Inspired by Latin music, he created his trademark syncopated piano beat. “I wanted jazz, I went there to learn, to meet the guys I admired so much. I found the jazz people very sad because there was nowhere to play, they played in Latin orchestras, which was where they had jobs. So I went looking for Latin orchestras to find the jazz people”, said Donato in an interview with Pedro Bial. He composed the album “Bad Donato” – considered one of the best in Brazilian music. And he brought “O Sapo”, an early version of the hit, “A Rã”, which would later be written by Caetano Veloso. Gilberto Gil was a partner in songs like “A Paz”. “He stayed there on the sofa, fell asleep, dozed a little on the sofa. When he woke up, I had already written the lyrics”, said Gil. João Donato also recorded with Chico Buarque, Martinho da Vila and Gal Costa. João Donato was considered a master of bossa nova masters, owner of an irresistible swing. “This mix of Brazil and Cuba, with samba, that’s characteristic of him, and he’s always looking for young people and working with young people. He is a man who never aged, always working always looking for new things. A daring man, out of time,” says singer-songwriter Danilo Caymmi. João Donato innovated by joining synthesizers to the piano. The son, Donatinho, was a breeding partner. Another constant partner was his brother: Lysias Enio. With Jards Macalé, he made, during the pandemic, the album “Síntese do Lance”, with new songs. In 2022, he released his latest album “Serotonina” featuring newer artists. In more than 70 years of career, João Donato has turned fans into partners. “João Donato was one of my first enchantments in Brazilian music. And then I was lucky to become his partner, a friend, in many adventures, in many stories. He is a person who has dedicated his life to bringing joy to the world”, says singer-songwriter Joyce. On the internet, Marcos Valle posted a photo with his friend and published: “may you be welcomed with lots of music and lots of colors”. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote on a social network: “João Donato was one of the geniuses of Brazilian music. Today we lost one of our greatest and most creative composers. He kept creating and innovating until the end. May he find peace that sang so much”. Roberto Menescal, João Donato’s companion since the bossa nova era, spoke of the importance of his friend in his musical formation. “Of course I would be a musician even without João Donato, but I wouldn’t be the musician I am today, with what I learned from him. Me and all the others of my generation who were lucky enough to come across and play with him like me. We are very grateful for what he did for me and for the whole generation of musicians”, emphasizes Roberto Menescal, musician and composer.

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