PANJIM: Saxophonist Josinho D’Souza, popularly known as Maestro Josinho in the music fraternity, passed away on Monday.
Born on July 15, 1941 to Caetano Piedade Souza and Luizinha Filomena Luis, Josinho hailed from Zaino-Velim.
He started playing clarinet when he was 13 years old. In 1965, he formed his band A V C POPS. From 1966 to 1970, he taught music at St Rock’s High School, Tolecanto, Velim. Josinho was a musician of great expertise and his contribution to Konkani songs and music has been truly invaluable. He has played music for around 3000 tiatrs all over India, Gulf countries and London. Besides live music for songs in tiatrs, he has also designed/operated background music in tiatrs, which include ‘Patok’, ‘Ghatki Bhoinn’, ‘Sucorina’, ‘Duddu Ginean’, ‘Sonvsarant Astana Diat’ and ‘Ostori’. He also provided music to around 230 audio cassettes. Josinho has written 3 tiatrs -- ‘Mai Paiche Dekhik Lagon’, ‘Angovnnecho Put’ and ‘Toddoki Pai’. Josinho was selected as the Star of the Month at the All India Radio in 2005. He was conferred with several awards including Gulab Award in 1996, Culture Overseas Best Music Award in 2002 in Kuwait, first prize for music in the tiatr ‘Rater’ in 2003, Goa State Cultural Award in 2008, Dr Jack Sequeira Award in 2009 and TAG’s Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award in 2011.
