Jim Perrett
724-651-4250
jperrettjr@yahoo.com
Acoustic Guitar Stylist
Blues Parisian Swing American Primitive
HomeJim Perrett began his exploration of music at a young age. He first delved into playing an instrument with trumpet lessons given by his paternal uncle, Amo Orlando, who had toured with the legendary swing band of Jack Teagarden. Orlando's teaching method was traditional until he discovered that all of his written licks were being memorized rather than read by Perrett who is dyslexic. Perrett attributes this early introduction to spontaneity and playing on the edge to his love of improvisation. Also at this time he was greatly impressed by the television appearances of Louis Armstrong. He began to study and teach himself from recordings realizing that going back to the musicians that influenced those that were challenging him would take him to the roots of the music itself.
Perrett's early years were also deeply influenced by a French-Canadian tradition that was carried on by a maternal great uncle's banjo playing and storytelling around family campfires. The importance of passing on folk music and stories was cemented in Perrett's mind so much so that he decided to learn the guitar and join his uncle at their family gatherings by the river.
Perrett and his guitar became inseparable as he began performing the songs of Dylan and Donavan publicly at rallies and festivals. He attended Pennsylvania State University as a performing arts major and was the president of the Music Club. After discovering guitarists Jourma Kokunan, Burt Jansch, John Mayall, and John Fahey, he began to change the focus of his playing and to concentrate more on his work as an instrumentalist. His appearance as a guest soloist in a classical music recital at the Dana School of Music, Youngstown, Ohio as an example of American Primitive music, revealed his guitar virtuosity.
Next . . . Minor Swing
Early Years
"I think the only good new music is written by those whose first affair is with the old masters instead of their own belly button . . . Jim proves my point and then some"
~ Tor Jonnassen "Music in the Folk Tradidtion" WRDV Warminster, Pennsylvania
"Andy (Haag) and I (Chuck Coleman) are continually amazed at the depth and breadth of (local) talent, most of it unhearlded. Jim's performance on "Off The Charts" validated that belief. As impressed as we were with his demonstrated musical abilities, we were equally, if not more greatly, impressed with his knowledge of the styles of music which he plays. I can say without hesitation that there is little if anything about his performance that I would have changed. The mix of styles was good, as were the varying tempos. The conversation we had between songs was first-rate."
~ Chuck Coleman with Andy Haag 'Off The Charts' WRMU Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio
