Born to one of Goa’s finest composers and musicians, Chris Perry, music would always be second, if not, first nature.
Yet, for Perry’s son Glenn, as he performs on Saturday August 18, at the ESG auditorium in Panjim, this concert serves more as a homecoming, and is his first performance on home turf. Glenn who plays guitar will be joined by his brothers, Miles on bass and Giles playing drums, with Dutch saxophonist Martin Visser rounding up the quartet. With prospective concert-goers curious as to what his music is all about, The Goan meets up with the internationally acclaimed virtuoso and chats over a few tunes.
The Goan: Considering your Goan roots, the musical heritage that there is withregard to Goa and your family, and you having been in the music industry fordecades, how is it that this is your first performance in the state?
Glenn Perry: Well, to be quite honest, the organisers of the event this time aroundwere extremely accommodating with all my needs and requirements. This issomething that I am particular about, as the quality of the sound setup isparamount when it comes to delivering a quality performance. Organisers in thepast haven’t been quite as forthcoming. Also, this is a performance that isstrictly jazz, and as such, has a very small audience as compared to morecommercial music, and therefore isn’t always a viable option.
TG: Having always been drawn to more commercial genres, why the suddenswitch to jazz?
GP: After my father’s passing, I was drawn to it, as I went through aperiod of analysing his work, and realised that he was a phenomenal jazzmusician. He was always my mentor, and a huge inspiration. Therefore, I justfocused on the genre, and the sheer ability it affords musicians to expand onis unbelievable. There was honestly no going back after that.
TG: However, this is your first performance in a long time, isn’t it?
GP: It is. Two years in fact. I am heavily involved in projects that aid inthe relief of disaster stricken areas. While I was working one such project inHaiti, a building collapsed on the site I was working on, and I was trappedunder the debris. When I was rescued, I realised that my entire right arm wasparalysed, and that I had fractured my right leg. It took two years to heal,and I am relieved to be back.
TG: With a comeback on the cards, what does your itinerary state in terms ofnew releases?
GP: I do have a new series of recordings that I would like to launch in thefinal quarter of the year. For me, it’s been an exciting project to work on,simply because of the recovery process that was involved after my injury.
TG: With regard to your originals, what would be the underlying theme withregard to your work? Is it constant, or does your muse vary?
GP: I think it would be fair to say that my most constant and greatestsource of inspiration is the plight of the underprivileged that I see, when Iset out on charity projects. Especially when it comes to children. Theirsuffering, as well as their ability to deal with their situation really movesme.
TG: Would you expect a large turnout this weekend in terms of a fanfollowing?
GP: The organisers are quite excited about the initial response of thepublic to the programme, so I am fairly optimistic at the moment. However, asit is my first performance in the state, I am really unsure as to what I shouldexpect.
TG: With the Dubai Music School having been established as the United Arab Emirates’first music school in 1980, how come the public is yet to see a branch of thePerry franchise set up in Goa?
GP: For me, it has always been a long term plan to give back to the state.As I’ve said before, my father has always been my mentor, and this is where hemade it big. My plans include workshops for musicians that I will travel toconduct myself, as well as a platform for upcoming artists to showcase theirtalent in the form of competitions. As incentive, I am looking at providingoutstanding performers with a chance at furthering their musical talent byoffering them recording contracts. I believe that this will help further theirmusical education as well as their careers in the industry. I think all in all,there is much to look forward to.
Glen Perry performs on August 18 at theESG auditorium 1 in Panjim.
