Arthur Verocai NYC Debut August 11th 2023

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Arthur Verocai released his self titled debut album in 1973, so when he walked on stage at Lincoln Center, August 11th 2023 raising his arms to acknowledge the thunderous applause from the capacity audience, it was an especially poignant moment.

It was his New York City debut with a 30 piece orchestra and judging by the response of the capacity crowd a moment many here had only dreamed of.

Verocai’s music is complex, weaving jazz, bossa nova, tropicalia, samba and funk into impeccable arrangements. Perhaps because of this beguiling mix, the music was admired by contemporary DJs and Hip Hop artists. Commom, Ludakris and MF Doom among others used samples in their music and introduced the music to a new generation of listeners. In 2021 the record was reissued from the original tapes (remastered by Verocai) on the Mr Bongo label. The original record is a collectors item that goes for up to 2000 dollars today.

Samba artist ROGÊ and pop vocalist Samantha Schmütz joined Verocai as guest artists at the Lincoln Center show.

Arthur performed the complete 1973 album, he himself had never had the opportunity to play the music from the album completely until 2009 in Los Angeles. Opening that night was the DJ Madlib, who made an appearance at Lincoln Center. The connection is important because Verocai’s music became popular with club DJs and Hip Hop artists and a forgotten musicians found a new generation of listeners.

LA based Jazz is Dead in collaboration with the World Music Institute and ArtDontSleep presented the show.