The Brazilian composer and pianist who helped lay the groundwork for bossa nova and many other genres has died at the age of 88.

 

João Donato had been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Over his career, he collaborated with top artists at home and abroad, including Chet Baker, Sergio Mendes, and countless others.

 

 

Brazil’s president tweeted ” Today we lost one of our greatest and most creative composers.”

Donato was born Acre on Brazil’s western border, showing  strong musical ability as a boy after receiving an accordion as a Christmas gift.