São Paulo, Brazil - World music fans are mourning the loss of Itamar Assumpção, who lost his battle with intestinal cancer on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 at the age of 53. Mr. Assumpção struggled for more than four years with the disease and chose to leave the hospital for the comforts of home care.

Best known for mixing samba with rock, funk and reggae, Mr. Assumpção recorded seven albums in the course of his career. His last album PretoBrás was released in 1998. His music struck a chord with artists such as Monica Salmaso, Zelia Duncan Ná Ozzetti, Cássia Eller and Rita Lee, who rerecorded songs by Assumpção.

Born José Itamar de Assumpção, in Tietê in 1949, Mr. Assumpção is survived by his wife and daughters, Anelis and Serena, both who share their father's passion for music and are singers themselves.