“Cult singer Jose Mauro has died (Picture: Far Out Recordings) Singer Jose Mauro has died at the age of 76. The mysterious musician, who released just two albums, died following a short illness, Far Out Recordings confirmed. After sharing cult classic records Obnoxius and A Viagem Das Horas in the 1970s, he stepped out of”, — write: metro.co.uk
Cult singer Jose Mauro has died (Picture: Far Out Recordings)Singer Jose Mauro has died at the age of 76.
The mysterious musician, who released just two albums, died following a short illness, Far Out Recordings confirmed.
After sharing cult classic records Obnoxius and A Viagem Das Horas in the 1970s, he stepped out of the spotlight completely, fueling bizarre rumors of his disappearance.
A spokesperson for Far Out, who reissued his debut in 2016, referenced the speculation in a lengthy statement, while paying tribute to his brief career.
‘Some sad news to share. José Mauro has passed away at the age of 76, following a short illness,’ the lengthy Instagram message began.
‘The briefness of José Mauro’s career led to widespread rumors that Mauro had been abducted by the military junta, or that he’d died in a road accident. The reality was more straightforward: he’d decided not to continue in his career as a recording artist due to a lack of commercial success.
The musician released two albums before disappearing from the spotlight (Picture: Far Out Recordings)‘Mauro would continue living and working in Rio, writing music for theatre and working as a musical director at the Tablado Theatre School, while also teaching guitar. But after some years Mauro faced health complications and was forced to stop playing music altogether.’
‘Following the 2016 reissue of Obnoxius, Far Out learned that Mauro was indeed alive and living a quiet life on the outskirts of Rio,’ the message continued. ‘With thanks to his nephew @davidbutter, we were able to connect with Mauro ahead of the re-issue of A Viagam Das Horas in 2021.
‘With great grace and humility, Mauro participated in interviews with The Guardian, New York Times, Bandcamp and The Wire Magazine and was able to set the record straight about the rumors of his passing and reflect on his music, his life and his much deserved new found acclaim.’
The statement concluded: ‘It’s too tempting to think of what could have been, had José Mauro been able to continue making music. But what he achieved in those few sessions in 1970 stands alongside some of the great works by Brazil’s most celebrated artists.
‘Over half a century since it was created, José Mauro’s music has lost none of its power to totally mesmerise and bewitch. Far Out would like to pass on our deepest condolences to David, Ana Maria and José’s family at this time.’
Mauro’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Following the news, fans rushed to pay tribute in the comments section below.
AndyThomasx76 replied: ‘Thank you for the music Jose and @farout_recordings for the reissue of these beautiful records.’
Talismanvinyl agreed: ‘One of the Greatest from Brazil. His work is among the most touching music I’ve ever heard. Our store’s name is inspired by one of his songs.’
‘Obnoxious is one of most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard… It stopped me, and everyone I’ve played it to in their tracks.’ Alexander_Stevens_BPL said. ‘RIP and thank you for creating such wonderful music.’
Far Out Recordings paid tribute on Instagram (Picture: Instagram)As JimmyJeanVersion added: ‘A very special, very unique voice and sound. Timeless. Rest peacefully x.’
Mauro was born in Jacarepaguá, in Rio de Janeiro, and found his passion for music from a very young age, after his dad gave him an accordion at the age of seven.
He went on to study music and had guitar lessons, while also composing as a teenager.
Mauro found himself in the studio and recorded two albums in one session, as a way of ‘cutting expenses’ – he put the finishing touches on Obnoxius, which came out in 1970, before dropping A Viagem Das Horas six years later.
Shortly after this, he removed himself from the spotlight completely, which led to bizarre rumors surrounding his life. Many suggested that he was killed by the military, while others wondered whether he had died in an accident.
Far Out Recordings reissued his debut album in 2016 and the promo materials mistakenly said that Mauro had died when he was very much still alive.
Ahead of a reissue of his follow-up record in 2021, Far Out founder Joe Davis told the New York Times: ‘From a label standpoint, we genuinely believed Mauro was gone, that’s all there is to it really.’
Davis said Mauro’s old producer, Roberto Quartin, suggested that he had a fatal motorbike accident.
‘He said he was told that maybe he had a serious motorcycle accident and passed away but wasn’t 100% sure,’ he continued. ‘It led us to believe that was probably the case.
Fans shared their heartbreak on social media (Picture: Far Out Recordings)‘There was no reason for us to believe otherwise at the time. As soon as we heard that he was alive, we stopped everything until we spoke with him.’
Instead, Mauro stayed in Rio and continued his efforts in music – he wrote music for theater while also working at the Tablado Theatre School – but was eventually forced to stop due to health issues.
He gave rare interviews to promote the 2021 reissue, telling the outlet: ‘I cannot fathom how it came about.
‘I sort of disappeared due to the vast gap between recording and releasing the albums. But there was no reason to think that I had died!’
‘I was taken for dead for so many years,’ he added to the Guardian. ‘Now my work is being acknowledged. It’s incredible.’
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