Sao Paulo, Brazil – Guitarist and composer Paulo Mendes Pupo Nogueira, known artistically as Paulinho Nogueira, died in Sao Paulo this week. He was one…
Bossa Nova Pioneer Dies at 73
Category: Obituaries
Txilibrin, Basque Musician Dies at 91
Sopela, Biscay, Spain – A legendary figure in Basque music, Silvestre Elezkano, a.k.a. “Txilibrin,” died this week in Spain’s Basque Country. Txilibrin (pronounced chee-lee-breen), born…
Malagasy Valiha Master, Sylvestre Randafison Dies at 75
Madagascar – Sylvestre Randafison, a key figure in the development of Madagascar’s most famous instrument, the valiha, passed away July 12. Born Randafison Benjamin Sylvestre,…
Senegalese Kora Master Kaouding Cissoko Dies at 38
Senegal – Kaouding Cissoko, a master kora player and member of Baaba Maal’s band, passed away on July 17th. Cissoko was a diabetic and had…
Colombian Vallenato Legend Dies
Valedupar, Colombia – Francisco “Pacho” Rada Batista died of natural causes late in the evening on July 16. Surrounded by his large family and thousands…
Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa Dies at 77
New Jersey, USA – Celia Cruz, the most popular salsa singer, died from cancer this afternoon at 5 p.m. EST at her home in New…
Cuban Multi-Instrumentalist Tito Duarte Dies in Spain
Madrid, Spain – The Spanish Performing Rights Society (Sociedad General de Autores y Editores – SGAE) reported today that Cuban composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Tito…
Cuban Music Legend Compay Segundo Dies at 95
Havana, Cuba – Legendary Cuban musician and composer Compay Segundo died on Sunday, July 13th in Havana, Cuba. Details about his death were not available,…
Jazz/Bossa Nova Great Herbie Mann Dies at 73
Jazz flutist Herbie Mann died late Tuesday at his home in Pecos, New Mexico, near Santa Fe. At 73, Mann succumbed after a long battle…
Guinean Sax Master Momo “Wandel” Soumah Died June 15
Guinea – Sunday, June 15, Momo “Wandel” Soumah, musical director of the troupe Circus Baobab, died. The Guinean singer, composer, and alto saxophonist was considered…