Brienn Perry
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Background Information
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Brienn Perry is a contemporary jazz musician who has specialized in jazz performances. Brienn is well known on the Chicago Jazz scene. He has performed at a number of venues in and around the Chicago Area. He is a performer to see. Brienn has performed in venues internationally in the US, Europe and the Far East. Brienn has also recognized the importance of bringing the message of jazz to younger audiences. He has performed and lectured on the subject in colleges and universities in the US.
Brienn's musical style has emerged from his experience of playing in the Woody Herman Big Band.
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[edit] Brienn Perry
[edit] Biography
Vocalist Brienn Perry embodies that rare combination of astounding talent, and a warm presence that exudes charm and sublime sophistication. He continues to capture the hearts of audiences and critics alike, and has been called “One of the best bass/baritones in the business” by Chicago Tribune arts and music critic; Howard Reich. An accomplished musician, Brienn has honed his skills for most of his life, singing and playing the slide trombone since childhood. At eight years old his left eye was removed due to malignant cancer (hence his eye patch). This only made music an even greater part of his life. After learning to play the tenor trombone he began to study all of the other brass instruments like the baritone, trumpet and flugelhorn. (His first CD features him on the Eb alto trombone). After studying voice in college Brienn signed a recording contract with Castanet Records and made an album with the Solid Gold Revue. They traveled all across the south and southwestern U.S. from New Orleans and Hattiesburg to Los Angeles and Las Vegas playing and singing R&B and the Blues.
Later Brienn returned to Chicago to further pursue his career in music where he worked as a trombone side-man in various Latin, Jazz, Reggae, and Blues bands. Deftly handling everything from classical music to jazz and pop, he's performed in nearly all of the main venues in Chicago land; the Jazz Showcase, Green Dolphin St., FitzGerald’s, Navy Pier, Andy’s, McCormick Place, Kingston Mines, The House of Blues, The Taste of Chicago, Governor’s State University, the College of Dupage, Columbia College, and both Chicago Jazz Festivals just to name a few. He has also worked both in New York at Flushing Hall in Queens with the Woody Herman Band, the Lennox Lounge in Harlem and in Los Angeles at the Weston Hotels and other venues with his own ensemble. Brienn has also performed internationally in Asia, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. Along with having his own quartet and orchestra featuring some of Chicagolands best musicians, he’s performed with Lionel Hampton, Barrett Deems, and nearly all of the Windy City’s top big bands, including the Chicago Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Jazz Members), Burgess Gardner’s Big Band, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Bill O’Connell’s Big Band, the Chicago Grandstand Big Band, the John Burnett Swing Orchestra, and the Doug Lawrence Orchestra at the Black Orchid. He was also the opening act for Bob Newhart in the Midwest for two years!
Brienn released “Positively”; his first CD recorded partly in New York with the legendary Frank Foster’s own rhythm section and partly with an all-star line-up in Chicago.
His second CD; “Live at FitzGerald’s” with the great Woody Herman Orchestra was released through Ryko distribution for Big Head Records in Santa Monica California. Brienn is Woody’s official lead vocalist and has performed with them for five years at such places as the Hartford Jazz Festival, The SS Norway Caribbean Jazz Cruise and the legendary Ronny Scotts in London.
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Brienn is at home in intimate surroundings with just a piano accompaniment or in concert with a sixty piece orchestra. He has smooth jazz vocals reminiscent of Nat “King” Cole and Sammy Davis Jr., a brilliant, lyrical alto trombone sound, and a broad repertoire to delight any audience. Brienn has just returned from Germany, on his way to Denmark and Sweden, and is ready and able to travel the entire world! This is definitely an artist you don’t want to miss!
[edit] Career
Brienn has recently begun performing in Europe. He has recently delivered successful performances in Sweden and Stuttgart, Germany and the Far East. Brienn also regularly performs on cruise venues in the Caribbean.
[edit] Teaching
Brienn has become the Artist in residence at the Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. He delivers coursework material that familiarizes students with the range of jazz as a musical genre. His coursework covers early, contemporary and modern jazz.
[edit] Early Career
Brienn's early career performances were in the City of Chicago. His primary grounding is in the big band style of jazz. He continues to play with the Big Band in venues around the world. In his early years Brienn worked with many Chicago blues artists.
[edit] Health Challenges
Brienn experienced a highly unusual medical condition that resulted in the loss of his left eye. Despite this setback Brienn has been able to function with very nearly normal capacity. It has had no impact on his ability to perform as a musician.
[edit] Discography
Brienn has two music albums out. They are both available through the popular online retail outlets such as MP3.com and Amazon.com.
Live at Fitzgerald's and Positively
