Bassist Nico Assumpção dead

Bassist Nico Assumpção died this morning due to cancer-related complications. Born in São Paulo, Nico took up the bass guitar at age 16. He lived in the United stated during the 70s, playing with jazz stars like pianist Don Salvador and saxophonist Charlie Rouse. Back in Brazil, in 1981, he released Nico Assumpção, the first album fully dedicated to bass playing to come out in the country. He proceeded to become one of the most requested musicians at recording sessions and live presentations, having been a member of back up bands for such artists as Milton Nascimento, João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Wagner Tiso, César Camargo Mariano, Ricardo Silveira, Gal Costa, Hélio Delmiro, Maria Bethânia, Márcio Montarroyos, Raphael Rabello, Edu Lobo, Léo Gandelman, Toninho Horta, Victor Biglione and many others. Nico played the double bass and the bass guitar, and was one of the first musicians to use the 5-string and the fretless bass in Brazil.