Kathleen
& Arthur Perry
"Music has always been a traveling experience for me," Says singing sensation Kathleen Perry. "It takes me to spiritual places. And it allows me to take the audience with me.
For over three decades, Kathleen Perry has developed a solid and devoted following locally and internationally. Now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband Drummer/Percussionist Arthur Perry. They continue to teach and produce beautiful music together.
"I was very fortunate that I grew up in the San Francisco bay area," says the four-octave range versatile singer. "All the great singers and musicians came there to perform. "I remember attending great concerts of Aretha Franklin at the Fillmore West, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Patti Labelle, Etta Jones, Gladys Knight." They were my teachers before I started studying forcefully.
I was born in 1950 in Vallejo California, where I and my 3 sisters and 1 brother were all encouraged to play a musical instrument and perform by our parents. My father was a government supervisor at the Oakland Army Terminal and a Jazz aficionado. My mother was a housewife who dreamed of singing and cafeteria lunchroom worker. She died at the early age of 41 never to realize her dream but one of the many values she taught us was to practice your instrument daily to be a great musician. There was always music in my home. Growing up I watched my sister and brother's singing duo practice and perform. I would emulate them and constantly ask to sing. They received a recording contract with Columbia records. Unfortunately my sister Joyce passed away at 16. However my brother Chuck Brown continued in his musical career playing drums attending Berkelee School of Music in Boston Mass. His talent led him to work with the jazz greats such as Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, now he is a famous drum teacher (30 years) known throughout the world. My other sister played accordion with Dick Contino and the other sister studied dance.
I began my music career playing classical piano at the age of 7. I then performed with the Gospel youth choir at McGee Avenue Baptist church in Berkeley CA. Performing throughout my youth for many radio shows, choral performances, fashion shows, government conventions and school productions. During this time encouraged by my elementary school principal I entered a talent contest sponsored by a group called "The Limeliters." The Limeliters are a famous folk group of the fifties recording on RCA Victor records. I won the contest and recorded my first album with the Limeliters titled "Through Children's Eyes" at the age of 11 singing with the youth choir.
I vigorously pursued my musical career attending San Francisco State University, majoring in music and studying opera privately. When I turned twenty-one I began to perform in California bistros, bars, clubs and halls the list would fill pages. I married my husband Arthur a well-known drummer and the son of a Baptist Minister. We can proudly say we have been together now for 35 years! Arthur and I produced, directed and performed in a musical jazz revue in 1970 titled "Freedom in my Soul" after our original composition. Opening to notable revues from the San Francisco Examiner at the Encore Theater in San Francisco. During that time our home was the place known in San Francisco's famous Haight Ashbury district as the place for many musical jam sessions. It was a musical nirvana with many drop in performances by the likes of jazz giants like Bobby Hutcherson, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Mongo Santamaria, Michael Howell, Nolan Smith, Ray Drummond, to name just a few.
My husband Arthur and I appeared at many memorable San Francisco jazz clubs and restaurants most music aficionado's world wide recognize Enricos, Roland's, The Cypress Club, Milestones, Washington Square Bar and Grill, Harris' Restaurant, The famous IronHorse Jazz Club, which turned into a four year engagement. Also we performed at the annual Union Street Fair and the Ironhorse Jazz festival. KGO radiothon as special guest artists and "West Coast Live" a worldwide radio broadcast.
Arthur Perry was born in 1938 in Brooklyn New York. He began performing in a church sponsored drum and bugle corps at the age of eight. He studied drums with "Dad Hines" the father of the famous Gregory and Maurice Hines until the age of 15.
At the age of 16 Arthur formed a singing group called the "Montclairs" they performed at the historic Apollo Theater amateur contest and won first prize. This "Montclairs" went on to record under the Wildwood Record label and gained much success with their single recording of "Your in my every dream" written by Arthur.
Arthur has worked with such great artist as James Brown, Papa John Creech, Big Joe Turner, Jessica Williams, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Bobby Timmons and many more. Arthur performed on channel 13 for a Public Television special with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, which is now a TV Jazz classic.
Continuing to perform the Arthur & Kathleen Perry Quintet headlined "First Night Monterey" appearing before 12,000 people at the 1994 New Years Eve celebration. We performed for the Mayor of San Francisco, at that time, Mayor Willie Brown for his induction into the wall of fame at the historic John Grill's restaurant of San Francisco. Also during this time I was honored when requested to sing the Star Spangled Banner at Kesar Stadium for the opening of the Rugby games. Kathleen was asked to sing again after the overwhelming response from the audience. I was honored to sing at Golden Gate Fields to honor the famous racehorse jockey Mr. Bill Shoemaker.
In 1991 The Arthur & Kathleen Perry Quintet was invited to perform in Europe. This changed our lives. Our first appearance was at Villa Florio in Palermo Sicily. Our relationship with the wonderful European audiences never ended. We toured throughout Europe performing in Cathedrals, Famous Villas, Jazz clubs and concert halls from 1991 to 2005. "As a vocalist I never stop enjoying the European audiences. They are true lovers of American music and they seem to always respect my distinct flare to sing jazz, R&B and Gospel." While in Europe I was fortunate to be able to share my vocal techniques teaching at the Scoula Popolare Di Musica, for The Brass Group of Italy.
One of our great gospel concerts was held at the Cathedral of San Gerlando in Agrigento Italy for RAI television. It was a benefit for the children of Bosnia in 1994 that due to popular request of the Italian people has been aired annually at the Christmas season.
Arthur and Kathleen Perry produced and recorded "Bounasera Misilmeri, Live in Europe" with Italian jazz greats Vito Giordano and Diego Spitaleri. I had the great pleasure in 2002 to sing with the great Italian jazz vibraphonist Enrico Randisi at the first Windsurf World jazz festival sponsored by ESPN in Mondello, Italy.
On September 11, 2002 The Arthur and Kathleen Perry Quintet was honored to perform for the International Red Cross and Papiacomunicare in Castigilone delle Stiviere, Italy. "Per non dimenticare" was the theme "Let us not forget" dedicating the night to the victims of September 11th. The Arthur & Kathleen Perry Quintet also was requested to perform for the Provincia of Brescia during this period for the annual International World Celebration 2002 for the "Year of the mountains" We continue to return to Europe as often as possible most recently in 2004 performing at Villa Lampedusa.
We are currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am passing on the knowledge through a private school for Vocal technique. Teaching the new up and coming talented singers. I am currently working on the film "Siren" as the Associate musical Director with a cameo appearance featuring a song composed by Arthur and myself titled "Starting Over" The release of this movie is 2006. Watch for the soundtrack "Siren" featuring "I want Somebody" and "Starting Over" written by Arthur and Kathleen Perry. Our most recent CD "FAMILIA" Includes 7 songs composed and arranged by Arthur and Kathleen Perry and takes you on a versatile musical journey.