Vanessa Perica
Vanessa Perica is a Composer, Arranger, Conductor based in Melbourne, Australia.
Originally hailing from Perth, Vanessa majored in Jazz Composition and Arranging at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Upon completion of her Bachelor degree in 2003, she was awarded the prestigious Bob Wyllie Scholarship for ‘Most Outstanding Graduating Jazz Student.’ Other recipients of this honour include Mat Jodrell, Linda May Han Oh, Troy Roberts and Ben Vanderwal. Her mentor was the legendary Graeme Lyall AM.
Recent career highlights include both national and international recognition. In 2015, Vanessa led the Perth Jazz Society Big Band through a set of her original compositions at the Perth International Jazz Festival. In 2018, her composition ‘Dance of the Zinfandels’ was a finalist in the Anonimus Big Band International Composition Competition. Selected by Guillermo Klein, it was performed live in front of a jury in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In June 2019, under her direction, Vanessa’s compositions were featured at the Sydney Con International Jazz Festival, performed by the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra to critical acclaim.
In this same year, Vanessa was a recipient of an Australia Council grant to record her debut album. The Vanessa Perica Orchestra (VPO) features an all-star lineup including Julien Wilson, Mat Jodrell, Jamie Oehlers, Andrea Keller, Sam Anning, Carl Mackey, Jordan Murray, Ross Irwin, Phil Noy and Ben Vanderwal. Recorded in January 2019, the album entitled ’Love is a Temporary Madness’ has now been released to critical acclaim.
Read moreTags
“…She is a big talent — still under-the-radar, but probably not for much longer.” - Ted Gioia
4.5 stars “…an ambitious album of great depth…” - Eric Myers, The Australian
“...Perica creates dense, multi-layered works, full of complex shading, that are forever twisting and turning, alternating solid rhythmic foundation with free-flight. At their best, they are brimming with emotional resonance, highlighted by rich sonorities.” - Des Cowley, Rhythms Magazine
“Vanessa’s exceptional writing achieves a sensitive balance between involved ensemble composition and providing space for many of the personalities of the all-star band to shine.” - Rafael Karlen, The Music Trust
“...instantly compelling
