Naná Vasconcelos (1944–2016) was a visionary Brazilian percussionist and berimbau master celebrated for his innovative fusion of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with jazz, world music, and experimental soundscapes. Hailing from Recife, Pernambuco, he collaborated with artists such as Pat Metheny, Egberto Gismonti, and Codona, bringing the berimbau to global prominence. Voted “Best Percussionist” by *DownBeat* magazine multiple times, Vasconcelos was known for transforming rhythm into atmosphere, using voice, textures, and silence to create deeply emotional and transcendent musical experiences.