Phil Perry

Phil Perry (born in Springfield, IL on January 12, 1952) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, musician and a former member of the soul group The Montclairs from 1971 to 1975.

Biography

In 1972, The Montclairs recorded under the Paula label with minor soul ballads that included "Dreaming's Out Of Season", "Prelude to a Heartbreak", and "Begging's Hard To Do". The Montclairs left Paula Records and disbanded in 1975.

Perry later moved to California with former Montclair, Kevin Sanlin, and teamed up as a duo, that had a short stay with two albums, at Capitol in the early 1980s (produced by Chuck Jackson and Dr. Cecil Hale). One song 'Just to Make You Happy' had a respectable level of success in radio.

In 1985 he married singer Lillian "Tang" Tynes, and began a marriage partnership that has lasted ever since. The Perrys are featured singing background for numerous projects and TV/Radio jingles, as well as in a duet titled 'Do Not Disturb' on the ONE HEART ONE LOVE album, released in 1998. 'Lill' Perry is also featured on the background vocals of Perry's first five solo albums. The nearly 25 year marriage has produced four children, Joseph, Paloma, Philip II, and Jacob.

In the 1990s he had his biggest success with the number-one R&B hit "Call Me" (previously recorded and written by Aretha Franklin), a remake of the 1970 hit, as well as the top forty R&B singles "Amazing Love" and "Forever" (written by Brenda Russell) all from the hit album, Perry's first solo release The Heart of the Man (1991), even though he has released many albums since his breakthrough in 1991. Phil Perry is also featured on many GRP Records projects, with guitarist Lee Ritenour in particular.

He is a featured vocalist on recordings by Ron Kenoly, Michel Colombier, Don Grusin, Dave Grusin, Freddie Hubbard, George Duke, Najee, Bill Withers, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, The Benoit-Freeman Project (David Benoit & Russ Freeman), Sergio Mendes, Bobby Womack, Chaka Khan, Fourplay, and Will Downing, to name a few.

Solo hits also include "Love Don't Love Nobody" and "One Heart, One Love". He is also featured on the Bebe's Kids soundtrack singing a track with the late Renee Diggs. Other film song credits include 'Roots", "Pretty in Pink", "Short Circuit", "Mr. Wonderful", "Nice Girls Don't Explode", Riding Bean, "Captain Ron" and a cameo appearance in the 2009 release of the Harrison Ford film "CROSSING OVER".

On September 11, 2001, Perry was scheduled to perform at the World Trade Center, for the lunch hour jazz concerts between 11 am and 1 pm. His 5th solo album Magic was released that day, as well. As fate would have it, Perry was spared the devastation of the terrorist attacks on the two towers. However, for the next six years, he sunk into an artistic depression, and did not record again until invited by long time friend, Don Grusin, who he joined for a collaborative venture titled "THE HANG". This CD/DVD project was nominated for a Grammy, and included Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Patti Austin, Natali Renee, Abraham Loboriel, Alex Acuna, Ernie Watts, Lee Ritenour, and others.

In 2006, former co-producer of the Magic album, Chris 'Big Dog' Davis, urged Perry to record a collection of R&B hits, titled Classic Love Songs as an independent one-off project for Shanachie Records. Since that time, Perry has recorded four projects for Shanachie with 'The Big Dog', including the recent duo project with the great Melba Moore.

In 2007 he toured the country with saxophonist Dave Koz. That same year he released his acclaimed album "Mighty Love," for which he was voted the 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year, in the SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards.

Perry recently fainted during a performance with Pieces of a Dream, on Friday October 23, 2009 at the Southern Connecticut State University. False rumors began to circulate that he had died. While there is no definitive medical reason for the collapse, Perry was treated at a local New Haven hospital, and released with the recommendation that he take some time off to rest after extensively traveling throughout the summer. Perry is alive and doing well, and is preparing to record his 10th album at the start of 2010.

Trivia

Phil Perry composed, wrote and performed several songs for the Japanese anime OVA Riding Bean with friend and co-writer, David "Creatchy" Garfield.

Phil Perry, Kevin Sanlin, James Ingram, and Howard Hewett are singing the background vocals on the Carl Carlton hit, She's a Bad Mama Jama.

Perry makes a cameo appearance in the 2009 film Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, and Ashley Judd.

Album discography

Solo Album

• “The Heart of the Man” (1991); Capitol 92115
• “Pure Pleasure” (1994); GRP/MCA 4026
• “One Heart One Love” (1998); Private Music/Peak 82163
• “My Book of Love” (2000); Private Music/Peak 82181
• “Magic” (2001); Peak 8504
• “Classic Love Songs”(2006); Shanachie 5139
• “A Mighty Love” (2007); Shanachie 5153
• “Ready for Love” (2008); Shanachie 5164
• “The Gift of Love” (2009) with Melba Moore; Shanachie 5176
• “Say Yes” (2013); Shanachie 5401

Session

As The Montclairs featuring Phil Perry:

• "Dreaming Out of Season" (1972) Paula Records 2216

As Perry & Sanlin:

• “For Those Who Love” (1980); Capitol
• "We're The Winners" (1981); Capitol

As Phil Perry & David Garfield:

• "Together in the Arms of Love";
• "Deep Within Each Man"; presented by Shorinji Kenpo (Japan)

Anime soundtracks

• "Road Buster," "King of the Road," & "Runnin' the Road" (1989) Riding Bean anime soundtrack

Phil Perry Songs recorded by other artists:

• "Perfect Island Nights" Bobby Caldwell (2007 - title song)
• "Romance the Night Away" Najee (2007)
• "United Together" "Take Me With You" "Together Again" Aretha Franklin's ARETHA album (1981)
• "East St. Louis Melody" Noel Pointer ALL MY REASONS album (1981)
• "That Secret Place" Patti Austin
• "In the Morning" "Malibu" "If I'm Dreamin' (Don't Wake Me)" "Turn The Heat Up" Lee Ritenour

External links

• Phil Perry's Homepage Phil Perry
• Phil Perry's catalogue Phil Perry credits
• Phil Perry at Wenig-LaMonica Associates
• Phil Perry Biography and his note to fans Phil Perry Page at SoulTracks.com