Doctor and pianist Barros Veloso, one of the historic names in jazz and Hot Clube de Portugal, died on Sunday in Lisbon at the age of 95, friend and researcher João Moreira dos Santos told Lusa.
According to the same source, Barros Veloso died in a hospital in Lisbon, as a result of health complications.
António José de Barros Veloso said that he dedicated his entire life to Medicine, from 1957 until he retired at the age of 70, specializing in Oncology and Internal Medicine and always in civil hospitals in Lisbon.
However, alongside his medical career, practice, research and teaching, Barros Veloso also said, in several interviews, that music was always present in his life and that he began playing alone, by ear, without knowing how to read a sheet of music.
He was one of the most recognized and historic names in jazz in Portugal, being among the first members of the Hot Clube de Portugal (HCP), founded in the capital in 1948.
“An enlightened spirit, his wisdom, sensitivity, intelligence and generosity were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of living with him”, recalled Hot Clube de Portugal in a note of condolence shared on social media.
According to HCP, Barros Veloso was a regular presence at dozens of concerts and ‘jam sessions’, “having played with musicians of all generations, from the youngest to the most established. His cycle of concerts on Tuesdays at the Hot Clube, known as ‘doctor’s Tuesdays’ left an indelible mark on the club’s history”.
Born on September 27, 1930 in Coimbra, where he graduated in Medicine, Barros Veloso published several books, which reflect his interest in different themes, such as Music, Tiles, Philosophy and Medicine, namely “Doctors and Society — For a history of Medicine in Portugal in the 20th century”, “History and Tiles of the Civil Hospitals of Lisbon”, “Facade Tile in Lisbon” and “Jazz Notes: 22 Quarter Notes”.
Barros Veloso, who in 2018 received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, also leaves recordings, in “Doctetos — Barros Veloso entre amigos” (2010) and “Jazz Trintage” (1987).
In 2021, the biographical book “António José de Barros Veloso — Uma Vida, Various Mundos” was published, by Margarida Almeida Bastos.
Barros Veloso’s wake will take place from 4pm on Tuesday at the Carnide cemetery, in Lisbon, and the funeral will take place on Wednesday.
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