P. J. Perry

P.J. Perry (tenor/alto saxophone, clarinet, flute & piccolo) was born in 1941,  in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is a jazz saxophonist from Edmonton, Alberta. He has won one Juno award as a solo artist, and one for his work with The Rob McConnell Tentet.

Perry was born to prominent western Canadian band leader Paul Perry and Margaret Yeo. Early in life they moved around Canada between Medicine Hat, Regina, Sylvan Lake and Vancouver. He learned to play the clarinet and piano before becoming a saxophonist for his father’s band. Perry, known for his bebop-influenced style of play, is active across Canada as a studio musician, jazz soloist, concert performer, and recording artist with Justin Time Records.

 

• 1993 – Juno Award, Best Jazz Album
• 1993-1997 – Jazz Report Magazine Critics’ Choice , Best Alto Saxophone
• 1996 – Honorary Diploma in Music, Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton
• 2001 – Juno Award As part of the Rob McConnell Tentet, Best large jazz ensemble album
• 2003 – The National Jazz Awards Canada, saxophonist of the year award
• 2005 – Lifetime Achievement Award, city of Edmonton Mayor’s night of the arts
• 2007 – Honorary doctorate of law, University of Alberta

 

Video Clips

“You’d Be”

PJ PERRY – alto sax, KEVIN DEAN – trumpet, MARK EISENMANN – piano, NEIL SWAINSON – bass and ANDRE WHITE – drums playing Kevin Dean’s “YOU’D BE” based on YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO.

 

“Family Suite – Blues For Jerome – Movement 8”

From May 2nd, 2010 concert of the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra at Humber College Auditorium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Soloists:
P.J. Perry – alto saxophone
Rob Smith – trumpet
Barry Romberg – drums
Kirk MacDonald – tenor saxophone