September 17th 2024.
The music world was hit with the tragic news of Jose Mauro's passing at the age of 76. The enigmatic singer, known for his two albums, passed away after a short illness, as confirmed by Far Out Recordings.
Mauro's musical journey was shrouded in mystery, with his sudden disappearance from the limelight after the release of his cult classic records, Obnoxius and A Viagem Das Horas, in the 1970s. This sparked bizarre rumors of his whereabouts, ranging from being abducted by the military junta to dying in a road accident.
In a lengthy Instagram post, a Far Out spokesperson paid tribute to Mauro's brief yet impactful career, also addressing the speculations surrounding his disappearance. "It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of Jose Mauro's passing at the age of 76. His short-lived career sparked wild rumors that he had been abducted or had met a tragic end. However, the truth is that he chose to step away from the music industry due to lack of commercial success."
Mauro released two albums before retreating from the public eye. However, he continued to live and work in Rio, composing music for theater and teaching guitar at the Tablado Theatre School. Unfortunately, his health eventually deteriorated, and he had to give up music altogether.
But in 2016, when Far Out reissued his debut album, Obnoxius, they discovered that Mauro was still alive and leading a quiet life on the outskirts of Rio. Thanks to his nephew, David Butter, they were able to connect with Mauro and even conduct interviews with prestigious publications like The Guardian, New York Times, Bandcamp, and The Wire Magazine. Mauro took this opportunity to set the record straight about the rumors surrounding his life and reflect on his music and life.
"It's hard not to wonder what could have been if Jose Mauro had continued making music. But what he achieved in those few sessions in 1970 stands among the greatest works of Brazil's celebrated artists. Even after half a century, his music continues to mesmerize and enchant. Our deepest condolences to David, Ana Maria, and Mauro's family during this difficult time," the statement concluded.
The cause of Mauro's death has not been confirmed yet, but fans immediately flooded the comments section with tributes and memories. One fan shared, "Thank you for the music, Jose, and Far Out Recordings for reissuing these beautiful records." Another added, "His work is among the most touching music I've ever heard. Our store's name is inspired by one of his songs."
Mauro was born in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, and developed a love for music at a young age when his father gave him an accordion at the age of seven. He continued to study music and compose as a teenager. In the studio, he recorded two albums in one session, citing cost-cutting as the reason. His debut album, Obnoxius, was released in 1970, followed by A Viagem Das Horas six years later. Shortly after, he disappeared from the music scene, leading to rumors of his death or abduction by the military.
In 2016, Far Out reissued his debut album and mistakenly included the information that Mauro had passed away. However, before the reissue of his second album in 2021, Far Out founder Joe Davis revealed that they found out that Mauro was still alive. "From a label standpoint, we genuinely believed Mauro was gone, that's all there is to it, really." Davis explained that their old producer had suggested that Mauro had died in a motorcycle accident, leading them to believe it was true. But when they found out that Mauro was alive and well, they immediately stopped the reissue until they could speak with him.
Despite his disappearance from the public eye, Mauro continued to live in Rio and be involved in music, writing for theater and teaching at the Tablado Theatre School. In rare interviews, he expressed his surprise at the rumors surrounding his death and how his music is now being recognized. "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. Now my work is being acknowledged. It's incredible."
The music world has lost a talented artist, but Jose Mauro's music will continue to live on and touch the hearts of those who listen to it. Rest in peace, Mauro.
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