Ivan "Mamao" Conti of Azymuth dies aged 76
News of the innovative drummer's death was announced on the 18th of April 2023
Last updated 18th Apr 2023
Drummer and percussionist Ivan "Mamao" Conti, best known for his work with the Brazilian group Azymuth has died, at the age of 76.
The news was confirmed by Far Out Recordings. The statement said "We are devastated and shocked to hear the news that our dear friend Ivan "Mamão" Conti passed away this morning (18 April 2023)".
Far Out Recordings is a British independent record label that specializes in Brazilian music, and is known for its long-standing relationship with Azymuth.
The social media post, which confirmed the news continued, "As one of the three founding members of Azymuth, in the year of their 50th anniversary Mamão leaves behind a profound musical legacy for which we'll be forever grateful. In our eyes, he was up there amongst the greatest drummers in history".
Conti's work has been compared to the likes of Tony Allen, Steve Gadd, and other drumming innovators.
Aside from being one of the founding members of Azymuth, he recorded and worked with Milton Nascimento, Eumir Deodato, Marcos Valle, Hyldon, Gal Costa, Jorge Ben, and hip-hop legend Madlib during his lifetime.
About Ivan "Mamao" Conti and Azymuth:
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1946, Ivan Conti's passion for music was evident from an early age. With his unique style of percussion, he quickly made a name for himself in Brazil's vibrant music scene.
In the early 1970s, Conti joined forces with keyboardist Jose Roberto Bertrami and bassist Alex Malheiros to form Azymuth.
Azymuth's music is a fusion of samba, jazz, and funk, but it was their use of electronic instruments and synthesizers that helped define their sound. Conti's innovative drumming style and use of Latin rhythms added an extra layer of complexity, making the band's music truly unique.
Their debut album Azimuth, released in 1975, was a success and helped to establish them as one of Brazil's most influential bands. However, it was their follow-up album, Light as a Feather, released in 1979, that truly catapulted them to international stardom.
Light as a Feather was a critical and commercial success, and its title track became a hit around the world. The album's success was due in no small part to Conti's hypnotic drumming and the band's use of synthesizers, which helped to create a sound that was both innovative and timeless.
Conti's contributions to Azymuth's sound were invaluable. His use of unconventional drumming techniques and Latin rhythms helped to define their sound and set them apart from their contemporaries.
Following Jose Roberto Bertami's death in 2012, Conti and Malheiros took some time apart before deciding to continue Azymuth.
Outside of Azymuth, Conti was a prolific session musician and worked with many Brazilian artists, including Jorge Ben Jor, João Donato, and Marcos Valle. He was particularly renowned for his work on percussion instruments such as the cuíca and the pandeiro.
He released several solo albums under his own name exploring a wide range of styles, starting with The Human Factor (1984) and most recently Poison Fruit (2019), which was released on Far Out Recordings.
His talent as a percussionist and composer was evident in his solo work, which explored different sounds and styles while continuing to push the boundaries of Brazilian music.
He was also known for his work with the German electronic music duo Jazzanova, with whom he collaborated on several tracks, including "Keep Falling" and "Dance the Dance."
Conti was a recipient of several awards throughout his career, including the Brazilian Music Award for Best Instrumentalist in 1997 and the Ordem do Mérito Cultural (Order of Cultural Merit) from the Brazilian government in 2011.
Azymuth and Conti's influence on jazz-funk and electronic music cannot be overstated. Their groundbreaking sound has influenced countless musicians around the world.