Virtual Jungle

If you were to run into Lucio Rebello on the streets of New York City you’d think him an unassuming sort. You might never guess he was a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and you’d certainly never he guess he was one the most innovative rock musicians in New York City these days. Catch him on stage with his band Virtual Jungle, however, and all illusions will be dispelled. While seeming reserved, Rebello creates music that blends progressive and alternative rock with Brazilian Jazz, Electronica and Classical music into an eclectic retro-futuristic pop blend with cinematic scope and hooks that are nothing short of deadly. It is this seeming incongruity that first draws in fans. Watching Rebello on stage is like watching a metamorphosis. In Rebello’s case your ears tell you what you hear, but the contrasts between image and sound are so stark you’ll pass taken aback on your way to exceedingly pleasantly surprised.

Lucio Rebello was surrounded by music from his earliest days and Rebello started playing guitar at the age of eight, picking out songs by ear before he even had formal training. Recognizing Lucio’s talent, his father enrolled him in classical guitar lessons, opening the door for Rebello to a new creative world. It wasn’t long before rock n roll came calling, with Rebello immersing himself in the music of bands such as Living Colour, Soundgarden, Rush, King Crimson, Steve Vai. Along the way Rebello heavily invested himself in classic pop music, American and Brazilian Jazz and film music. By the time Rebello was thirteen he was playing in local rock bands. After high school, Rebello’s love of jazz and film music led him to the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Film Scoring in 2002 while winning The Berklee Achievement Award in 2001. With the ink not even dry on his diploma, Rebello started Virtual Jungle as an outlet for his rock muse. The results have been nothing short of astounding, with a highly lauded self-titled debut album in 2005. All Music Guide and Guitar Player Magazine raved about Virtual Jungle, but perhaps Amplifier Magazine put it best, “a debut album of pop precision with an international flair…An album that succeeds at its pure pop craft, with so much genre cross-pollination.”

In the mean time, Rebello was developing a reputation for dynamic live shows in New York City at venues such as CBGBs, The Knitting Factory, The Cutting Room and Sullivan Hall. Virtual Jungle on stage consists of Rebello (vox, guitar); bassist Trifon Dimitrov (Randy Brecker, Duane Eubanks); drummer Mauricio Zottarelli (Esperanza Spalding, Eliane Elias) and keyboardist Rubens Salles. Rebello’s guitar style and musical proclivities make for one of the most original rock experiences out there, a dynamic blend of world music, Electronica and rock n roll heavily influenced by acts such as Jeff Buckley, Muse, Radiohead, David Bowie and Dredg. Rebello has streamlined the sound of Virtual Jungle while infusing it with a post-perfectionist pop ethic, carrying these refinements into Virtual Jungle’s newest album, Cycles.

Lucio Rebello is an artist in the purest sense of the word. With a depth built of intelligence and humility, Rebello reflects the world around him in his music with sincere humility and grace. The fact that he does so with a big guitar-driven rock sound backed by some of the best Indie Jazz musicians in New York City makes his music all the more intriguing. The dynamics of rock n roll collide with the rich cultural and musical heritage of Rebello’s native Brazil and outlandishly spritely pop hooks that are descendent from the likes of the Beatles, Brian Ferry and Queen while maintaining a darker edge. Lucio Rebello writes the sort of music that lights up a stage, leaving all of those in earshot with smiles from ear-to-ear. As the projection of his muse, Virtual Jungle funnels that sense of musical glee through the highly inventive machinations of Rebello’s multi-faceted guitar style and distinctive pop sensibilities. Inside the musical lines, Rebello makes connections with a highly personable vocal style, and a delivery that makes everyone in the room feel like he’s singing to them alone. To put it bluntly; Lucio Rebello is a star, even if the world hasn’t caught on yet. Now’s your chance.

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