Incredibly devastating news: Brazilian icon and legendary musician João Donato has unexpectedly passed away on Monday in Rio de Janeiro.
João Donato was scheduled to perform twice at Le Guess Who? 2023, to honor his life and career and celebrate his 90th birthday at the festival.
Donato has been a massively influential figure in the development of bossa nova, samba, jazz and Brazilian music with incalculable contributions to the canon under his name or alongside other Brazilian and international icons.
With a career spanning over six decades, João Donato is deservedly considered a musical genius and one of Brazil’s most important musicians. We thank him for the visionary music and joy he has brought us; his legacy will live on and his music will continue to grace our world.
We want to express our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones at this time of sorrow.
Photography by Fabio Seixo
