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Perez

I was born in Harlem, New York. 136 Street and Amsterdam Avenue. I was baptized at Church of the Annunciation, 88Convent Avenue, New York, NY My mother was of Cuban Irish decent, a housewife; my Puerto Rican father was a machinist, played congas and guitar in the Navy Big Band. Drawn to music and art from an early age, it was said, that by age four, I would hear a song once and be able to recite the lyrics and melody. I attended High School of Art and Design at the age of 12 and majored in photography. Though photography was my first impulse towards self expression, I later focused my energy on vocals as a form of communication.

At the age of 17 I moved to Los Angeles where I worked within the Art and Design world and began my fascination and long romance with jazz.

I worked for Cannon films and was being exposed to the Art Director's taste in music. Lucky for me it was Coltrane and Parker. I began to seek out other jazz artists. I fell in love with the likes of Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, the cool of Anita O’day Shirley Horn, Chet Baker, Annie Ross and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross combo was a real treat when I stumbled across it. ''Come on home'' and ''Home cookin', till these days I adore those tunes. Then hearing the amazing Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone was the final step in the decision to leave the visual world behind and focus on jazz vocal. It was when I moved to Europe that I made a conscious decision to focus on a verbal form of communication. I did not have a formal musical education, I did take classes at various schools and conservatories, but I also had many lessons from the jazz artists that stayed at my house like Curtis Clark, Anita Wardell, Jan Ponsford and Randy Greer. I became a regular figure at Amsterdam's Bimhuis.When applying to be a member of the Bimhuis I was asked .How long have you been involved in improvisatiemuziek.. My response was ‘’6 months after I was born I was placed into a foster home, I have been improvising since then.’’ Establishing my reputation, I ran a weekly session there for a spell and I was lucky to appear at festivals on stages across Europe. After a ten year stay in Europe I returned to New York, my home and I have produced two sessions entitled "Seventh Avenue South" and "Sunday Sketches" both out on Timeless Records a Dutch label.

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184
Album Review

Perez: It's Happenin'

Read "It's Happenin'" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Jazz vocalist Perez (first name Diana) offers a sampling on her third album, It's Happenin' . The instrumental portion of this album is really topflight jazz, but vocally the first half is pleasant at best, finding some inspiration about halfway through the session.

Perez is a child of Cuban Irish and Puerto Rican heritage and claims musical expertise going back to age four. She graduated from New York's High School of Art and Design, leaving for Los Angeles ...

181
Album Review

Diana Perez: It's Happenin'

Read "It's Happenin'" reviewed by Marcia Hillman


Harlem-born vocalist Diana Perez offers her talents as a storyteller with this, her third CD, a collection of well-chosen standards and jazz classics that show off fine vocal abilities. Backing her up is David Hazeltine (piano), Steve Davis (trombone), Ron Horton (trumpet), Jed Levy (tenor sax, flute), Nat Reeves (bass) and Joe Farnsworth (drums), Hazeltine also responsible for several of the arrangements. Perez possesses a rich, full-bodied voice with capable intonation and shading and a gift for ...

173
Album Review

Diana Perez: Sunday Sketches

Read "Sunday Sketches" reviewed by Elliott Simon


In an era with an overabundance of female vocalists who keep the band in the background, trading more on image than voice, Diana Perez is a refreshing change, keeping her voice honest and involving her band as an integral part of the music. In the quintet of Bill Gerhardt (piano), Masa Kamaguchi (bass), Tony Moreno (drums), Ron Horton (trumpet) and Jed Levy (trumpet and flute), Perez has chosen musicians who are keenly able to perceive her moods. They take their ...

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9

Recording

Barcelonian Pianist/Composer Olivia Pérez-Collellmir Announces September 15th Release Of Her Dazzling Debut Album 'Olivia'

Barcelonian Pianist/Composer Olivia Pérez-Collellmir Announces September 15th Release Of Her Dazzling Debut Album 'Olivia'

Source: AMT Public Relations

Olivia Features World-Renowned Artists: Bassist John Lockwood, Cellist Naseem Alatrash, Catalan Vocalist Judit Neddermann, Flamenco Artists Ismael Fernández and Sonia Olla, and More Album Release Show October 4, 2023, at DROM in NYC Pianist/composer Olivia Pérez-Collellmir has announced the Sep. 15 release of her debut full-length album Olivia (Adhyâropa Records). A wonderfully nuanced and diverse collection of music spanning many of Olivia’s own musical interests, this extraordinary recording explores the marriage of flamenco music and Latin jazz with Spanish folk ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring. Whether leading his own ensembles or touring with renowned jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Roy ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring. Whether leading his own ensembles or touring with renowned jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Roy ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring. Whether leading his own ensembles or touring with renowned jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Roy ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring. Whether leading his own ensembles or touring with renowned jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Roy ...

1

Event

Live recording and concert, May 23-24: Jason Palmer Qt. feat. Mark Turner, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, Edward Perez at NYC's InterContinental Barclay

Live recording and concert, May 23-24: Jason Palmer Qt. feat. Mark Turner, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, Edward Perez at NYC's InterContinental Barclay

Source: Ludovico Granvassu

A one-of-a-kind musical experience, combining the intimacy of a house concert with the luxurious ambience, comfort and breath-taking views of the Harold S. Vanderbilt Penthouse. Limited space available as this is a recording session that aims at providing the intimacy of a house concert, but with world-class musicians. Contact Astrid ([email protected]) to reserve your spot. Concert and live recording on May 23 and 24 debut an all-star quintet led by Jason Palmer featuring Mark Turner, with Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or blog. ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Pérez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Pérez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or blog. ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Perez

Jazz Musician of the Day: Danilo Perez

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Danilo Perez's birthday today!

Grammy award winner Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or blog. ...

2

Music Industry

Jazz this week: Danilo Pérez, Jay Oliver, Denise Thimes, a big band Sunday, and more

Jazz this week: Danilo Pérez, Jay Oliver, Denise Thimes, a big band Sunday, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a visit from a top touring jazz pianist, the return of a favorite local singer to the city's showcase club, and one day that may seem like a time warp back to the big band era. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, February 24 Singer Denise Thimes (pictured, top left) returns to Jazz at the Bistro for the first of three evenings, continuing through Friday. Also tonight, the ...

By Edward Blanco

New York native Diana Perez is a remarkable artist blessed with a strong expansive contralto voice that sets her apart from the myriad of female jazz vocalists producing new recordings almost daily. Releasing her third album and first on the ZOHO label, “It’s Happenin’” features a repertoire taken from the Great American Songbook cast in new exciting arrangements and performed with a cadre of luminaries from the top echelon of New York’s vibrant jazz scene.

This is one of those rare jazz vocal albums where the vocalist surrounds herself with such an impressive musical support that the excellent instrumentals and solos almost outshine the singer herself. Perez is clearly the leader here but the play from pianist David Hazeltine, reed man Jed Levy and Joe Farnsworth on the drums, is superb. Rounding out the personnel is bassist Nat Reeves, trombonist Steve Davis and trumpeter Ron Horton.

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Clinic/Workshop Information

Clinic/Workshop Information Workshop for Advanced 1) how to produce your cd I have produced 3 sessions that labels have picked up. We go over : formulating a Budget, song choice, musicians, record labels, distribution options, website, press and radio PR, graphics . Workshop for beginners 1) If you can hear it you can sing it I go through several tunes , with my students teaching diction. ( clinic for Europe and JAPAN) list of listening homework. 2) Health is vital , eating , breathing

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

It's Happenin'

Zoho Music
2008

buy

Unblocking

Fresh Sound Records
2008

buy

Sunday Sketches

Timeless Records
2006

buy

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