“Eloquent, inventive, thoughtfully lyrical, rich and full-bodied, impassioned yet cerebral –– serious chops, but chooses to go for the heart” are all words and phrases critics have used to describe Rich Perry’s unique voice on tenor saxophone. Born in 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio, Perry became interested in jazz in high school, and studied briefly at Bowling Green State University, before moving to New York to freelance. In 1977 he joined the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra which at that time included Pepper Adams, Jerry Dodgion, Rufus Reid, and Harold Danko and spent the next two years touring the U.S. and Europe. After Thad Jones left the band, Perry continued playing with Mel Lewis, recording three LP’s with him, including Live in Montreux, and Naturally. The band, with Perry as a key member, is now known as The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and continues to play every Monday night at the Village Vanguard in New York, as the group continues to tour and record. Three of their recent cds have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
Perry has recorded 27 albums as a leader, and has appeared as a sideman or featured soloist on over 100 more recordings, including being featured with the George Mraz Quartet, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Matt Panayides Group, Dave Scott, Gary Versace, Mark Soskin, and the John Fedchock New York Big Band.