Arthur Verocai

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Arthur Veroccai

Years Active

1960

Genres

jazz, bossa nova, experimental music, MPB, hip hop

Instruments

piano, acoustic guitar

Biography

Arthur Côrtes Verocai was born in Rio de Janeiro on June 17, 1945. Initially graduated in civil engineering, he stood out on the Brazilian musical scene as a pianist, acoustic guitarist, composer, arranger, and conductor, actively participating in music festivals during the 1960s. Throughout his career, he worked on arrangements for records and shows by renowned artists such as Ivan Lins, Jorge Ben Jor, Elizeth Cardoso, Gal Costa, Erasmo Carlos, Célia, and Marcos Valle, besides acting as musical director and arranger at TV Globo on high-audience programs.

In 1972, he released his acclaimed and innovative self-titled debut album, which blended jazz, bossa nova, and experimental music. The record initially did not achieve commercial success and ended up forgotten by the public for many years, until it was rediscovered decades later by North American hip-hop producers, who used its tracks as samples. This resurgence culminated in the rerelease of the original vinyl on CD and opened doors for new international and national works, including partnerships and arrangements for albums by names like Ana Carolina and Marcelo Jeneci.

Consolidated as a seminal figure of Brazilian music, Verocai released subsequent albums such as Saudade Demais in 2002 and Encore in 2008 through foreign labels. In the following decade, he performed at Rock in Rio with the band Dônica, composed soundtracks for the closing of the 2016 Summer Paralympics, and released the album No Voo do Urubu, acclaimed by specialized critics and voted one of the best records of the year. His influence expanded even further through international collaborations with projects such as Hiatus Kaiyote and BadBadNotGood.

Discography

• Arthur Verocai (1972)
• Saudade Demais (2002)
• Arthur Verocai Featuring Azymuth & Ivan Lins – Encore (2007)
• Mochilla Presents Timeless: Arthur Verocai (2010)
• Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra Feat. Arthur Verocai – Mystery (2010)
• DJ Nuts / Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai: Arranjos e Composiçoes (2010)
• Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra Feat Arthur Verocai – Step Into My Life (John Morales M&M Mixes) (2015)
• No Voo Do Urubu (2016)
• Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra Feat. Arthur Verocai – Vendetta (Al Kent Remixes) (2017)
• BadBadNotGood Feat. Arthur Verocai – Love Proceeding (Macroblank Remix) (2022)
• Timeless (Live) (2022)