Swagato is renowned mainly for playing the saxophone (but also the silver flute). He has been living in Cabo Verde for many years.
Swagato has released, together with the band Olinôs, the CDs: ‘Sabura’ and ‘Amazed by your Face (En kantod k’bo Rosto)’. With the Olinôs he has also visited Europe on tour in 2009. And his CD ‘La Negra Caliente’ was released on his 60th birthday (13th June 2009).
He has also contributed to countless CDs of friends in Cabo Verde but also to Sambodhi Prem’s ‘Mirrors of the Sun’ and to the live Buddha Hall tracks we all know so well: ‘Garden of the Beloved’ and ‘Shadow of the Pines’. More on his website: swagato.com and myspace.com/olinos and myspace.com/swagatomusic
A celebration is scheduled for today 16:00, organised by his former partner Prem Pipiet, musicians from Mindelo and friends.
At the age of eighteen I was exploring the world of free jazz with my saxophone and into this intense period burst the ‘cultural revolution’ of the so-called 68-movement, and I abandoned my saxophone and joined the ‘political movement’ – the intellectual and radical fighter for human rights was born.
It led to a dead end, by the year 1979 I was a doctor of philosophy applying for a life long career as a professor of sociology. These years have brought professional success, but also personal despair and frustration.
The ego was nourished, but not my soul. I discovered the difference between intellectual satisfaction (and its opposite, frustration) and creative fulfillment (and its path of longing).
I have respect and support for the political struggle for a better world, but I am convinced that only an inner revolution and a new cultural expression can make the change for a better world. We musicians can be great ambassadors for this transition.
Swagato
Obituaries in the Press
Body of famous German musician found in the suburbs of Mindelo, Sao Vicente.
The German musician Uli Bracher, 62, known in the music industry of Cape Verde by Swagato, was found dead by companion, on the morning of Thursday, in a house under construction next to the residence where he lived in the city of Mindelo, on the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente, established the PANA police source.
Although local authorities have not yet ruled on the cause of death of the German citizen, living in Mindelo since 2001, the Cape Verdean News Agency (Inforpress) revealed it was improbable that Swagato would put an end to his life by committing suicide.
The musician, born June 13, 1949 in Heidenheim, southern Germany, was considered a good performer of wind instruments, including saxophone, and actively participated in a lot of concerts during their staying Cape Verde, and recordings of some individual disks.
He also participated in musical works given to the pattern by artists such as Bius, now deceased, Gabriela Mendes, Bau, Dulce Mathias, Nando da Cruz, Cheka, Homero Fonseca, among many others.
Swagato, who was a sociologist and Doctor of Philosophy, also participated, alongside artists such as Tchala known, the composition of groups that parade marches every year in St. Vincent Carnival, considered one of the biggest cultural events in Cape Verde and one of the main tourist attractions of the archipelago.
Cape Verde News – www.mycapeverdenews.com
Tributes
When I had my 50th birthday in 2009 Swagato wanted to come and play at the party which everybody enjoyed very much. Today I post this video because our friend has left his body a few days back.
Wendelin
A really old and dear friend of mine, Swagato, is now no longer on this planet. He was a magic flute player who could play his way into people’s hearts and a juicy saxophonist who could get people up and dance. What can I say? I love and treasure life but I see that there are those of us who get into spaces where the only option is to get out – it’s quite overwhelming and sad – but this is what’s happening.
Pratibha
In the late 1980′s Svagato passed through Berlin and played saxophone at one of our celebrations in ‘Pashyo’s Dancing Place’. I loved the sound of his sax and enjoyed spending the night with him. He left the next morning and I remember him being a breeze of fresh air in my life. Visiting Pune in the following years I always enjoyed listening to him playing in White Robe. Svagato, hope your travel is easy…
Pashyo
Keep blowing that sax wherever you find yourself, old friend! Your big heart and big sound will be missed.
Abhiyana
Chapeau,
beloved Swagato.
You decided to leave this stage,
I dare not imagine your darkest hours,
the pendulum of moods always swung hard for you.
You – the king of broken dreams.
Be sure to know, I love you for who you are:
You – the big-hearted man with open arms.
You – the gifted musician with groovy tunes.
You – the honest lover of Osho with desire for truth.
You – the believer of dreams of all kinds.
All I can hope for now is that my tears will turn into little lights on your passage to the beyond.
I will miss you here.
Love,
Ajara
Thank you so much, Swagato, for your music and the joy you shared… bon voyage…
Zumati
It hits me that you left! Just three days ago I played your music and wiggled with joy while cooking… puhhh, I realise how hard it is to ‘know’ someone from the inside, really. You were so cheering, cracking jokes at Wendelin’s birthday party some years ago in Freiburg. I remember that well… Swamiji, fly, fly high and let the universe shake with your vibrant saxophone tunes…
Mahana
I remember Swagato playing with Milarepa’s One Sky band on tour in Oregon. What fantastic music you made, dear one. Blessed journey to you.
Roshi
We all will miss you, Swagato. I am so touched by Ajaras words – I have nothing more true to add to those lovely words. Fly high!
Anasha
It was June 2005, we were with Olinôs in Hillsingen at Swagato´s sister´s home town. The concert was taking place in a beautiful, huge hall (like a warehouse) in the local museum. They had played a few songs, and when the flute solo started – we were at the very back of the hall together with his sister – hundreds, maybe thousands of birds came to sit on the roof and sing with him. I had goosebumps for the whole part. His sister had tears in her eyes. Even the birds felt his playing so deeply beautiful. I am so sorry, my friend, there was nothing I could do for you. I will always talk about the beauty of your playing and the honesty of your being. I know for sure you did manage to make a living with what you loved to do most, play the sax and the flute. Thank you for the time you gave us, me and Chetan. I hope you are happy palying with the angels. No more pain my beloved.
Santosh
There are very few people who walk on this planet and you want to walk with them and be with them ’cause they are magic, fun to be with, laughing, playful, full of life, always smiling, humorous, and most of all, good hearted. ‘Papa Bear’ as we use to call him had more then this. We toured together with Milarepa, played music and had a good share of our lives together. His music had magic, touching souls everywhere he went, mesmerizing people from all walks of life. Papa Bear, you are and will always be in my heart and I know in all the hearts that know you and also who listen to your music. Lots of love and bliss out there for you from the Pune Osho Commune where you played endless music for the Master of masters. Love love love all the way
Vatayan
A very generous, silent, smiling person. Thank you for your presence in Pune. I remember you with love.
Dhyan Elena
Dear Swagato, fare-well from one sax player to another – we only met a few times, but I have sweet memories of you and those meetings! We will miss your spirited blowing and your music. With love and gratitude,
Praful
Beloved friend, For the past year I tried to contact you, my messages unanswered. I reached out for you, directly and through mutual friends who lived close to you. But you were already unreachable. For these past weeks you were with me a lot, and I heard myself speak your name many times. Restlessness coming to an end, now that I know you at peace. Thank you my friend, for your sensitive music, your brilliant mind and your big heart. You will always have a place in mine.
Nutan
I never met you… but I met your music, which still is here, now, tomorrow, after … like pearls in my life. Thank you for your soft, mild and dreams creating music.
Karla
Beloved Swagato, I don´t know what to say… Only this: I will miss you so much! Your big heart, your smile, your open arms at any time… it was always a joy to meet you. I listen to your music and it touches my soul… this remains… your gift for us. Have a good journey my friend and thanks for everything!
Rasata
Swagato, my beloved friend, farewell! I know him since nearly 40 years and it’s hard to imagine that we will never meet again. I will miss his big heart, his humour, his depth, his sweetness and his craziness!
Sarito
Swagato came to play at our Osho Meditation Center, in Portugal, after Milarepa brought us together. He was kind, smart and had an innocenct quality along with a suffering note of his heart. This made him even more lovable. Osho loved his music and even said to Swagato that “my people will become enlightened through Jazz.” His name meant ‘welcome’. And his tenderness made us feel welcome in his life when we first met him and everytime we met him again. We would also feel like telling him: “Welcome to our lives!”
His music is still heard at our Center and in my groups, wherever they take place, and often at the Osho International Meditation Resort, I play his music. I was doing already it before I heard he left the body, and I will do it even more often from now on. It’s my contribution to our ‘enlightenment through Jazz’ that, just as he used to say about himself, is black inside (this is also the title of one of his cds). My heart is with you, beloved Swagato,
Darshan from the Osho Centro de Meditação Darshan Zen, Lisbon, Portugal