Azymuth drummer Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti passed away

It has just been announced that Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti, the legendary drummer of the Brazilian jazz-funk band Azymuth, has passed away. Ivan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as Ivan Miguel Conti Maranhão. He started playing drums at a young age and became one of the most influential drummers in Brazilian music history.

Azymuth was founded in 1973 and consisted of Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti, José Roberto Bertrami and Alex Malheiros. The band is considered one of the pioneers of jazz funk and has released numerous albums that are loved by music lovers worldwide. Their music was a fusion of Brazilian samba, jazz and funk, and was very recognizable due to Ivan’s unique drumming style. The band released their first album in 1975 called “Azimüth”. The album was well received and was soon followed by other successful albums such as “Light as a Feather” (1979) and “Telecommunication” (1982). Azymuth’s music was internationally recognized and the band performed in several countries around the world.

The funky drummer Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti

Azymuth’s style was characterized by the band members’ unique and innovative playing style. José Roberto Bertrami was a master of keyboard playing and his solos were characteristic of the band’s sound. Alex Malheiros was a virtuoso bass player and his bass lines were an important part of Azymuth’s music. Ivan Conti Mamão was an influential drummer known for his innovative and funky drumming style.

Also in the 1980s and 1990s, Azymuth released several albums and the band remained an important part of the Brazilian music scene. Their music has been used in several movies, television shows and commercials. In 2011 the band released the album “Aurora”, with which the band returned to its original jazz-funk sound. Azymuth remains an influential band in Brazilian music history and their music continues to be popular with music lovers worldwide. Azymuth’s music will forever be remembered as a unique blend of Brazilian samba, jazz and funk that has conquered the world with its unique sound.

Ivan Conti himself released three solo albums, “The Human Factor” (1984), “Pulsar” (1997) and “Poison Fruit” (2018). ‘Mamão’ was a major influence on the music world and has inspired many drummers with his innovative playing style. His musical influence spanned the globe and his contributions to the development of jazz funk will always be remembered. Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti has turned 76 years old.