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Gene Perla

Gene Perla grew up in northeastern New Jersey attending public school grades 1-12. After one year of post graduate study at New York Military Academy he entered the University of Toledo majoring in civil engineering and business. He then attended Berklee School of Music and Boston Conservatory before heading to New York City. At age five Gene’s musical studies began with classical piano. Upon entering high school he was given a trombone which he played for five years culminating in marching on Fifth Avenue in New York City as part of the Memorial Day Parade. During high school he became aware of jazz and was thrilled to attend the first New York performance of Ted Heath’s big band at Carnegie Hall. It wasn’t until his last year at Toledo University that his interest in music became primary. After struggling with too many notes, and thanks to Charlie Haden’s performance on Ornette Coleman’s "The Shape Of Jazz To Come,” Perla, at 24, switched to the bass as his main instrument. Not long after arriving in the City his talents became in demand and he found joy in performing with artists such as Willie Bobo, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra. As an educator Mr. Perla has taught at William Paterson University, New School University, Center for the Media Arts and Lehigh University. Sound design has been a significant endeavor yielding credits on Broadway shows, (including "Beauty and The Beast" and "The Lion King" among many others), theme parks and custom installations. Having a business sense, Gene has continuously expanded his activities to include music publishing, record labels, recording studios, promotional firms, Internet design and hosting and computer networking businesses as vehicles for his ideas.

Horizons Quartet: Horizons Quartet

Read "Horizons Quartet" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
July 23, 2021

Quite often it's not so much the music itself that compels you to sit and listen but the feeling the music stirs within. You begin to recall moments from the past that have made you feel of a certain place and time when things were just a bit more either out there or, as in the case of tenor/soprano saxophonist Dan Wilkins debut Horizons Quartet in a bit more safer, steadier space. That's not to imply that the ...

Album Review

Corinne Mammana: Yes, No, Next

Read "Yes, No, Next" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
February 15, 2021

Vocalist Corinne Mammana follows her 2016 EP Under An August Moon (CD Baby) with her full-length debut, Yes, No, Next. Blending the tried-and-true (Irving Berlin's “Blue Skies" taken straight ahead) with the downright inventive (The Cure's “Lovesong" rendered as a smooth samba), Mammana demonstrates a dense and fearless creative mettle not frequently equalled by her peers. With a voice at once coquettish and confident, Mammana reveals an ability to address any vocal genre, doubtless from her theater experience. Capably supported ...

The Jazz Life

My First Visit to China

by Gene Perla
February 13, 2020

It all started with Dome. That's drummer Adam Nussbaum. Decades had gone by without the opportunity to musically connect with him, but then Dave Liebman and I decided to put together a quartet called New Light. In 2014, along with saxophonist Adam Niewood, we hit three NYC area jazz clubs followed by a concert at Clarke University in 2015. In 2016 we played NYC and toured Europe, and in 2017 we headlined at the Santiago Jazz Festival and appeared at ...

543

Extended Analysis

Gene Perla: Bill's Waltz

by Alexander M. Stern
November 12, 2008

Gene PerlaBill's WaltzPM Records2008

Bill's Waltz, bassist Gene Perla's well-executed tribute to his former boss, drummer Elvin Jones, is one of those albums that could only exist in this modern world of digital recording techniques and studio trickery--and therein lies the rub. Many jazz listeners are conservative in their conception of what recorded jazz is and how it should be made. To these listeners, jazz should be recorded live in the studio ...

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Contest

Announcing the Winners of the PM Records "Gene Perla - Bill's Waltz" Giveaway!

Source: All About Jazz
May 18, 2009

376

Contest

Enter the PM Records "Gene Perla - Bill's Waltz" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz
April 17, 2009

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the PM Records “Gene Perla - Bill's Waltz“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select TEN winners at the conclusion of the contest on May 17th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following Gene Perla at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at PM Records

About Gene Perla Gene Perla was raised in New Jersey where he studied piano and trombone. After attending Berklee ...
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199

Recording

CD: Gene Perla, Elvin Jones

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
January 15, 2009

Gene Perla, Bill”s Waltz (PM). Drummer Elvin Jones should get equal billing with Perla. The two laid down basic bass-and-drums tracks in 1986. Following Jones' death in 2004, Perla wrote orchetrations for the pieces. With Jones digitally present, he recorded them in 2007 with the NDR Big Band in Germany. Jones drives the band, and it reacts as if he were in the studio with them. The NDR has a great day. The NDR seem to always have a great ...
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180

Music Industry

Gene Perla Available in Europe for Summer of 2006

Source: All About Jazz
June 26, 2006

Gene Perla will be in Europe during the summer of 2006.

His available dates are from 16 Jul through 10 Aug for concert and club performances, recordings, clinics, workshops, private lessons, consultations and/or other musical, recording techniques and music business collaborations.

Gene has been playing in various ensembles in many styles of music. He is an experienced educator and currently holds a position at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania teaching music business, recording techniques and private lessons on bass, keyboards, improvisation ...
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197

Performance / Tour

Gene Perla and Scott Neumann In Europe

Source: All About Jazz
March 30, 2006

Gene Perla and Scott Neumann will be in Europe during the summer of 2006, and they would like to play with you.

Their available dates are from July 16 through August 10 for concert and club performances, recordings, clinics, workshops, private lessons, consultations and/or other musical, recording techniques and music business collaborations.

This rhythm section has been playing together in various ensembles for over three years in many styles of music. They are experienced educators, and currently hold positions at ...
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Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

Bethlehem

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Lehigh University - Production & Marketing of Sound Recordings - Management of Careers in Performing Arts - Private bass, piano, & music lessons The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music - Survey of the Music Business - Sibelius - Improvisation Ensembles - Curriculum Committee