He was a master of the berimbau, a single-string, multi-toned Afro-Brazilian instrument. He was also innovative with bongos, bells, gourds, and maracas.
DownBeat magazine named him percussionist of the year each year from 1983 to 1991 in its critics poll. He won eight Grammy awards.
He is best known for his collaborations with Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonti, Gato Barbieri, and Pat Metheny.