Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra X Hermeto's Mothership (A Tribute To Hermeto Pascoal)

Since its founding in 2006, the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra has continually reinvented itself. With a repertoire of over 120 works—mostly composed and arranged by ensemble leader Daniel Glatzel—specifically created for this remarkable ensemble, AMEO embarks on adventurous musical voyages of discovery. It explores, develops, combines, and varies a seemingly endless array of musical styles, schools, and cultures. The orchestra will mark its 20th anniversary in 2026 with several special programs; one of these is dedicated to the musical legacy of Brazilian music legend Hermeto Pascoal.

In July 2015, Hermeto Pascoal traveled to Berlin to stage a collaborative project with the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra and two fellow musicians, Fábio Pascoal and Aline Morena. This encounter was a first in several respects: it marked Hermeto Pascoal’s initial collaboration with a German ensemble. Furthermore, for this project, Pascoal left Brazil for the first time to perform his compositions in arrangements created by another artist—ensemble leader and composer Daniel Glatzel.

This collaboration was a resounding success and met with an extraordinary response. In addition to extensive press coverage, the audience honored the artistic performance of the orchestra and soloists with standing ovations. An exciting new lineup—bringing together long-time associates of Pascoal and the AMEO—will now build upon the energy of those unique concert evenings in November 2026. The group will feature the musicians who were closest to Hermeto artistically. "Hermeto's Mothership"—comprising Itibere Zwarg, Fabio Pascoal, Andre Marques, Ajurina Zwarg, and Jota P.—consists of musicians who shared the stage with Hermeto Pascoal around the world for decades. The ensemble is joined by Hermeto’s goddaughter, the flutist Mariana Zwarg. Mariana now lives in Berlin and serves as a vital link between the two ensembles.

The world-renowned Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal passed away in Rio de Janeiro on September 13, 2025, at the age of 89. Pascoal is considered one of Brazil’s most extraordinary and internationally influential musicians. For decades, countless musicians around the world have interpreted his works. He was an incomparable virtuoso, composer, and arranger who blended diverse musical cultures with great ease. Traditional Brazilian music and jazz, dissonances and catchy melodies, odd time signatures and *forró* dance beats—in Pascoal’s hands, all this complexity became captivating and exhilarating. The collaboration between Hermeto's Mothership and the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra celebrates and honors the immensely versatile body of work of this Brazilian visionary.

The Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra was named the inaugural winner of the German Jazz Prize for Large Ensembles in 2021 and was honored as "Live Act of the Year" in 2025. Over its twenty-year history, the orchestra has performed more than 250 concerts in 25 countries across four continents and engaged in countless projects and intercultural collaborations. All four of the orchestra's albums released to date have garnered international acclaim. A fifth album is currently in the works and is scheduled for release in 2027. The Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra currently performs in lineups featuring up to twelve musicians from eight countries.

Supported by the Capital Cultural Fund