Pernambuco (4)

Text by Erly Ricci (free translation) He does not appear in the photograph, except for the cover of the Brasil Universo album, recorded in 1996. His name, hardly anyone knows. He appeared one day, long ago, in the dressing room of Hermeto Pascoal, taken by the hand of a completely drunk person. He carried a bunch of knickknacks he used as percussion instruments: a very old Remington typewriter, a truck cap full of crossed wires, two pieces of wood tied with string, and other objects. The drunk person came into the dressing room and said, "Hermeto, you need to meet this guy. Enter Pernambuco. Show him. " Here comes a very timid black man, with his trinkets. And he began to play. Hermeto soon adopted him and even took him to live in his home in Jabur, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro. Pernambuco became part of the group, with which he participated in several shows and albums. Hermeto himself told this story when he went to present the group to dozens of people at a workshop that ministered during the First Latin American Festival of Art and Culture (FLAAC) in 1986 by the Latin American Culture House and UNB (University of Brasilia). The closing show of FLAAC began with Pernambuco alone on the stage of the National Theater. He beat woods and set the pace. Marcio Bahia - drums and percussion; Itiberê Zwarg - low; Jovino Santos Neto - keyboard and flute; Carlos Malta - sax and flute. Finally enters Hermeto playing the accordion. Soon after, Pernambuco picked up his old Remington machine and began to play on the keys. The sound was interesting. It gave a dynamic but gentle mood to music. In the other concerts of Hermeto Pascoal and Group, Pernambuco was always in a corner, almost erased. His interventions on the songs were few; only some effects with unusual instruments. I do not know the importance of Pernambuco in Hermeto's music. I only know that he participated in several recordings of the group and that, now, apparently, with the entrance of Aline Moreno or even before her, Pernambuco no longer participates of the Group of Hermeto. But I am very curious to know the history of this timid and creative percussionist and what his fate is.