Kathleen Perry

Kathleen PerrySinger/Vocal Coach

For over four decades, Kathleen Perry has developed a solid and devoted following locally and internationally. Now residing in Las Vegas, NV. 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 three-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, and Etta Jones, Gladys Knight. They were my teachers before I started studying forcefully.

I began my music career playing classical piano at the age of 7 and performing with the Gospel youth choir at McGee Avenue Baptist church in Berkeley CA. Performing throughout my youth for many radio shows, 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 were 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 10 singing with the youth choir.

I vigorously pursued my musical career attending San Francisco State University " majoring in music and psychology. At 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 41 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 as the famous Haight Ashbury district a 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, Ray Drummond, to name just a few. My husband Arthur and I appeared at many memorable San Francisco jazz clubs and restaurants. Most Jazz music aficionado's world wide recognize Enricos, Rolands, The Cypress Club, Milestones, Washington Square Bar and Grill, Harris' Restaurant, and 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.

I continued to study Voice privately with Claudine Spindt and Cynthia Bythell.

We continue to perform the Arthur & Kathleen Perry Quintet headlined "First Night Monterey" appearing before 12,000 people at the 1994 New Years Eve celebration. During this time I was honored when requested to sing the Star Spangled Banner at Kesar Stadium for the opening of the Rugby games. I was honored to sing at Golden Gate Fields to honor the famous racehorse jockey now deceased 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 date. "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." During this time I was able to perform with the great Jazz artist Lee Konitz. 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.

Kathleen Perry recorded "Bounasera Misilmeri, Live in Europe" with Italian jazz greats Vito Giordano, Ricardo LoBue 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 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 11^th. 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" In 2004 performing at Villa Lampedusa Jazz Festival. In 2010 I returned to Palermo Sicily hosting vocal Seminars for many private companies.Recently, I have worked on several soundtracks for the Las Vegas Underground films festival. I was the Associate musical Director and Vocal Coach for thefilm "Siren” with a cameo appearance featuring a song composed by Arthur Perry and myself titled "Starting Over". In November 2011 the Kathleen Perry Jazz band appeared in the Addison’s Lounge for the Rampart Casino of Las Vegas.

I am passing on the knowledge learned throughout the years opening a private school for Vocal technique in Las Vegas for the past 13 years. Teaching the new up and coming talented singers

Like most Artist, I am continually a work in progress. Always desiring to create the best sound possible, perfecting my vocal instrument. Music is a life's work.