In August 2023, ArtDontSleep presents Jazz Está Morto celebrates the genius of Arthur Verocai with a 30 piece orchestra and Special Guests bringing to life his self titled, 1972, debut album on Verocai’s first ever US Tour.
More about Arthur Verocai:
Brazilian folk-jazz composer and arranger Arthur Verocai was born in Rio de Janeiro on June 17, 1945. The product of a classical music education, he first earned widespread attention in 1966 when Leny Andrade recorded his song "Olhando o Mar" for her LP We Are There. Embracing the contemporary pop, soul, and jazz sounds emerging from both sides of the equator, Verocai gradually honed a sweeping orchestral psych-funk sensibility not far removed from American producers like David Axelrod and Charles Stepney. Despite collaborations with artists including Paulinho Tapajós, Elis Regina, and Creuza Maria, he nevertheless was forced to maintain a civil engineering position until 1969, when he scored the theatrical production Is the Greater and arranged sessions for Gal Costa, Marcos Valle, Quarteto Em Cy, Erasmo Carlos, Jorge Ben and others. After producing a pair of LPs for singer Célia as well as Ivan Lins' 1971 effort Agora — as well as scoring a series of Brazilian television series — Verocai contracted with the Continental label to record a self-titled solo LP, a stunningly innovative effort that effectively bridges the divide between the Tropicalia of the late '60s and the deep-groove funk of the decade to follow. Released in 1972, a period marked by the Brazilian military government's opposition to creative expression, the album fared poorly and Verocai turned to advertising, writing and producing music for clients from all walks of industry. Shockingly considering its brilliance, upon release the album came and went with little fanfare, causing Verocai to essentially give up and pivot his career to advertising. Decades later, the album has become a cult classic throughout the US and Europe. "A true master conductor. Just as incredible live as recorded" - MF DOOM
Arthur Verocai's latest musical adventures connect the dots between his legacy and all of the artists he has influenced over the years as seen on his latest collaboration with the Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote on their 2021 album 'Mood Valiant', a few songs arrangements for the Canadian group BadBadNotGood and his stunning arrangement for Tyler the Creator's score for Virgil Abloh's posthumous show at Paris fashion week for Louis Vuitton. But that's only to name a few.