Phil Perry
Born and raised in East St. Louis, Phil Perry has spent most of his career as one of the most sought-after backing vocalists in the music business. His bright, multi-octave range has played a supporting role on dozens of albums by such acts as Anita Baker, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Peabo Bryson and George Duke. But he has also distinguished himself through five strong solo albums that have highlighted both his ability to interpret classic soul songs as well as his own songwriting skills.
Perry first came to the attention of Soul Music fans as the lead singer of the Montclairs, whose Begging's Hard to Do was a moderate hit in 1972. In 1985 he married soul/jazz singer Lillian Tang Tynes, and began a marriage partnership that has lasted ever since. After a brief stint as part of the singing duo Perry and Sanlin, Perry went solo in 1991 with The Heart of a Man, an album most notable for Perry's sheer guts (or some thought audacity) in releasing as a single a remake of Aretha Franklin's Call Me. It was a real coming out for Perry, as he ripped through the song in bold fashion, even surpassing Aretha's revered original version.
His follow-up album, 1994's Pure Pleasure, was perhaps his best, and included fantastic remakes of After the Love is Gone and If Only You Knew and a seven minute cover of the Spinners' Love Don't Love Nobody that was sheer magic. During the 90s, Perry also received increased coverage on Smooth Jazz radio through his guest work on albums by Lee Ritenour, the Rippingtons and others, and inspired Windham Hill subsidiary Private Music to sign Perry, along with Barry White and Peabo Bryson, in an attempt to become the major label in the confluence of the Urban Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz formats.
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June 03, 2013
Phil Perry Performs Despite Pacemaker Operation
March 01, 2013
Singer Phil Perry Says Yes With New Album On March 12 Via Shanachie...
November 23, 2010
Notes from the Net: Phil Perry's New Collaboration; Mtume vs. Crouch;...
September 23, 2010
Jazz This Week: Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller, Jonathan Butler, Phil...
August 11, 2010
Jeremy Davenport, Phil Perry to Perform in Fall Twilight Tuesdays...
November 11, 2009
Notes from the Net: Phil Perry Recovering; the Continuing Legend of...
Concert Schedule
Albums
Can't Hide Love Ft. Najee
From: Say YesBy Phil Perry