Armando Araújo, one of Macao’s most respected jazz musicians, died yesterday morning at the age of 75, according to a post on Facebook by his friend, the pianist Joao Marcos Mascarenhas.
Popularly known by his stage name Armandinho, the Brazil-born drummer moved to Macao during the 1970s and established a career that spanned the SAR, Japan and Brazil. He played an active role in setting up the first Jazz Clube de Macau on Rua das Alabardas in July 1985. Araújo played the drums in the club’s resident band, The Bridge.
In recent years, he suffered from health problems, but did not allow his illnesses to hamper his love for music and continued to play at Jazz Night events for the Live Music Association.
In the wake of his passing, which was reported by TDM Radio yesterday afternoon, Araújo’s friends and former band members have been praising his musical talent and contribution to the local music scene.
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“He has greatly contributed…to nurturing a love for playing music, in particular jazz music,” Miguel Campina Ferreira told TDM.
José Chan, a member of The Bridge, said that “he was an excellent musician who managed to create a great vibe” and lamented that “his death leaves a hole in the music scene in Macao.”
“I liked jazz early on,” Armandinho said in a 2017 interview with Macau Closer. “Jazz has a very strong connection with the musician. It gives you a certain freedom, improvisation, [and] harmony. It stirs everything, it’s from the heart.”
His immense influence on multiple generations of local musicians and fans was highlighted by an event that was organised at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf in 2020 to celebrate his long career.
