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Luis Perdomo (pianist)

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Luis Perdomo
Perdomo performs with his quartet at the International Jazz Festival of Punta del Este in 2015.
Perdomo performs with his quartet at the International Jazz Festival of Punta del Este in 2015.
Background information
Born(1971-02-19)February 19, 1971
Caracas, Venezuela
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, educator
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1983–present
LabelsHot Tone, RKM, Criss Cross Jazz
Websiteluisperdomojazz.com

Luis Perdomo (born February 19, 1971, in Caracas, Venezuela) is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator.

Career[edit]

From the age of 12, Perdomo was playing on Venezuelan TV and radio stations.[citation needed]

In 2001, Perdomo appeared as a regular member of Puerto Rican bassist John Benítez's New York trio with drummer Tony Cintron.[1]

In 2002, Perdomo joined saxophonist Ravi Coltrane's superlatively-reviewed quartet with double-bassist Drew Gress and drummer E. J. Strickland. The four toured and recorded together at least until 2012.[2][3][4]

Creating his favorably-reviewed album Focus Point, Perdomo made his first recording in 2003. Coltrane's record label, RKM Music released the album in 2005. Produced by Coltrane who also contributes musically, it features Perdomo in shifting ensembles with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr., saxophonist Miguel Zenón, and bassist Carlo DeRosa. The New York Times called the music "energetically limber."[5][6][7][8]

Awareness is Perdomo's 2006 album released by RKM Music. It features him as leader both in a conventional jazz trio and in an unconventional quintet with two bassists and two drummers. Besides Perdomo, consistent personnel on all tracks is bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Eric McPherson. Added on the quintet tracks are bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Nasheet Waits. In 2007, highlighting this album, Jason Crane interviewed Perdomo for an episode of the podcast The Jazz Session.[9][10]

In 2012, RKM Music released Perdomo's superlatively reviewed Universal Mind, a trio album with Gress and drummer Jack DeJohnette whom Perdomo says had been one of his major musical influences, even back to his early years in Venezuela. The New York Times wrote that "it exudes such strong, uncluttered conviction that it feels like a forward leap."[5][7]

Also in 2012, the Criss Cross label released Perdomo's The Infancia Project which features Perdomo with tenor saxophonist Mark Shim, drummer Ignacio Berroa, percussionist Mauricio Herrera, and bassist Andy Gonzáles. In an intentional nod to Perdomo's cultural origins, the group performs Latin versions of jazz standards as well as the pianist's own compositions.[11]

Responding to Perdomo's solo album Montage, the New York Times wrote in 2016 that the project confirmed "his strong foothold in a modern harmonic continuum." That year, the pianist led Controlling Ear Unit, a group including drummer Rudy Royston and bassist and vocalist Mimi Jones who is also Perdomo's wife.[12][13]

In 2021, Perdomo was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album for his work with Zenón on the collaboration album El Arte Del Bolero. In 2022 the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. Perdomo and Zenón were students together and had been making music since at least 2001. In 2024, the duo won the Grammy for El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2.[14][15][16][17][1]

The same year, Perdomo taught at the Berklee College of Music and was an adjunct professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York teaching jazz performance in piano.[18][19][20]

Perdomo has also played with Robert Hurst,[21] Jamie Baum,[22] John Ellis,[23] JD Allen,[23] Marcus Rojas,[23] Gregg August,[23] Frank Lacy,[23] Shelley Washington,[23] John Patitucci,[5] Ray Barretto,[5] Alice Coltrane,[5] Brian Lynch,[5] David Sanchez,[5] Dafnis Prieto,[5] Yosvany Terry,[5] David Gilmore,[24] Christian McBride,[24] Jeff (Tain) Watts,[24] Claudia Acuña,[24] Mino Cinélu,[24] Luisito Quintero,[1] Brad Jones,[25] Terreon Gulley,[25] Jon Irabgon,[26] Yasushi Nakamura,[26] Antonio Sanchez,[27] and others.

His playing style has been compared to Steve Coleman,[8] Danilo Perez,[8] Vijay Iyer,[8] and Dave Holland.[8]

Others he has played with are Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye, Dave Douglas, Tom Harrell, Henry Threadgill, David Gilmore, Steve Turre, David Weiss and Robin Eubanks.

Education[edit]

At the age of 10, Perdomo became a student of the Vienna-born Venezuelan musical icon, pianist Gerry Weil.[28]

"The biggest lesson I received from Gerry Weil in Venezuela was to keep my mind open to all types of music," Perdomo said.[29][30]

About moving to New York City, Perdomo said, "Being in a more competitive and challenging environment was a big change that I welcomed".[29][30]

At the Manhattan School of Music, where Perdomo earned his Bachelor of Music in 1997, he studied with pianist Harold Danko. Perdomo graduated with a Master's degree from Queens College where he studied with the legendary pianist Sir Roland Hanna.[10][18][20][14]

At the Manhattan School of Music he was also a student of classical pianist Martha Pestalozzi. Luis also cites Jaki Byard as one of his teachers.[29][30]

Personal Life[edit]

Perdomo is married to double-bassist and vocalist Mimi Jones with whom he also performs.[13][31]

Discography as leader[edit]

Listed here unless mentioned in Career section above.

  • Pathways (Criss Cross, 2008)
  • Links (Criss Cross, 2013)
  • Twenty-Two (Hot Tone, 2015) – This CD includes Perdomo's band, The "Controlling Ear Unit", with bassist Mimi Jones and drummer Rudy Royston
  • Montage (Hot Tone, 2016) – This CD features a band with Alex Sipiagin on trumpet, Mark Shim on saxophone, Ugonna Okegwo on bass and drummer Billy "Jabali" Hart.
  • Spirits and Warriors (Criss Cross, 2016) – same personnel as Montage

Selected Discography as sideman[edit]

With Tom Harrell

  • Oak Tree (HighNote Records, 2022)

With Miguel Zenon

  • El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2 (Miel Music, 2023)
  • Musica De Las Americas (Miel Music, 2022)
  • El Arte Del Bolero (Miel Music, 2021)
  • Sonero (Miel Music, 2019)
  • Tipico (Miel Music, 2017)
  • Identities are Changeable (Miel Music, 2014)
  • Alma Adentro:The Puerto Rican Songbook (Marsalis Music, 2011)
  • Esta Plena (Marsalis Music, 2009)
  • Awake (Marsalis Music, 2008)
  • Jibaro (Marsalis Music, 2005)
  • Ceremonial (Marsalis Music, 2004)
  • Looking Forward (Fresh Sounds New Talent, 2002)

With Ravi Coltrane

With David Sanchez

  • Carib (Stretch Music / Melaza Music / Ropeadope Records, 2019)

With Henry Threadgill

  • Double up plays Double up plus (PI, 2018)

With Ray Barretto

  • Homage to Art (Sunnyside, 2003)

With David Gilmore

  • From Here to Here (Criss Cross Jazz, 2019)
  • Energies Of Change (Evolutionary, 2016)
  • Numerology Live at the Jazz Standard (Evolutionary, 2013)

With Steve Turre

  • Woody's Delight (High Note Records, 2012)

With Jon Irabagon

  • Dr Quixotics Traveling Exotics (Irrabagast, 2018)
  • Behind The Sky (Irrabagast, 2015)

With Brian Lynch (musician)

  • Spheres of Influence Suite (EWECD 2008)
  • ConClave (Criss Cross Jazz, 2004)

With Ben Wolfe

  • Fatherhood (Resident Arts Records, 2019)
  • Live At Smalls (SL, 2010)
  • No Strangers Here (MaxJazz, 2008)

With Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye

  • Timbalaye (Shanachie 1998)
  • Best Kept Secret (Shanachie 2000)
  • It's Time (BKS Records 2007)

With Gregg August

  • Dialogues On Race (Iacuessa Records 2020)
  • Four By Six (Iacuessa Records 2012)
  • One Peace (Iacuessa Records 2007)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ratliff, Ben (30 August 2001). "JAZZ REVIEW; No More Shrinking Violet: Latin Bass as Main Event". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  2. ^ Owsley, Dennis (16 January 2012). "Ravi Coltrane Comes to Jazz at the Bistro: Why He Doesn't Sound Like His Father". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  3. ^ Whitehead, Kevin (17 July 2012). "Ravi Coltrane: A Noble Sound, Witness To Its Heritage". KERA News. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  4. ^ Ratliff, Ben (17 September 2009). "Hewing to the Center, but Making Steady Gains". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i DeLuke, R. J. (14 May 2012). "Luis Perdomo: Walking Towards the Light". All About Jazz. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  6. ^ Kelman, John (18 February 2005). "Luis Perdomo: Focus Point". All About Jazz. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (12 February 2012). "Carpathian Wedding Bands and Other Valentine Treats". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e Ratliff, Ben (25 October 2004). "New CD's". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  9. ^ Kopman, Budd (8 March 2007). "Luis Perdomo: Awareness". All About Jazz. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b Crane, Jason (3 March 2007). "Show #2: Luis Perdomo". The Jazz Session. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  11. ^ Da Gama, Raul (7 January 2013). "Luis Perdomo: The 'Infancia' Project". Latin Jazz Network. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  12. ^ Chinen, Nate (26 May 2016). "Jazz Listings for May 27-June 2". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b McNally, Owen (10 June 2015). "Mimi Jones Unleashes Genre Bending Powers in Groove Fest at Old Lyme Jazz Club". Connecticut Public Radio / WNPR. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Celebrating MSM Faculty & Alumni nominated for 2022 GRAMMY Awards". Manhattan School of Music. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  15. ^ Fordham, John. "Miguel Zenón/Luis Perdomo: El Arte Del Bolero Vol 2". Jazzwise. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  16. ^ Mergner, Lee (5 February 2024). "Samara Joy, Billy Childs, Nicole Zuraitis, säje, Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo, Meshell Ndegeocello and the Count Basie Orchestra among winners at the 2024 Grammy Awards". WBGO. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  17. ^ Wilson, Jaden (3 June 2024). "Zenón and Perdomo bring "the art of bolero" from Cuba to Spoleto". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  18. ^ a b Lin, Jon (15 April 2024). "Q&A With Grammy-Winning Queens College Professor Luis Perdomo". The Knights News. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  19. ^ Cifarelli, David (1 February 2024). "These alumni, faculty from Berklee College of Music in Boston are up for Grammys". MassLive. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  20. ^ a b Shkurhan, Iryna (16 February 2024). "2 Queens College School of Music faculty members bring home Grammy awards – QNS". QNS. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  21. ^ Scott, Ronald E. (26 October 2023). "Ravi Coltrane at Vanguard, Sista's Place, Donaldson at 97". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  22. ^ Layman, Will (4 June 2024). "Flutist Jamie Baum Works with Poetry and Dynamic Voice". popmatters. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e f JaSupreme (16 January 2020). "Gregg August to Release New Album "Dialogues on Race, Vol. 1"". The Urban Music Scene. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e Chinen, Nate (14 January 2010). "Celebrating the Tension Between Art and Science". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  25. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (10 May 2006). "David Gilmore Steps to the Front With Soul and Rhythmic Fury". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  26. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (14 January 2016). "Jazz Listings for Jan. 15-21". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  27. ^ Ratliff, Ben (4 February 2003). "IN PERFORMANCE: JAZZ; Soft and Easy Does It Or Energetic Boogaloo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  28. ^ Villalobos, Begoña (16 June 2019). "In & Out Jazz, encuentro con Gerry Weil y Luis Perdomo. "Incurablemente loco por el Jazz"". In & Out Jazz (in European Spanish). Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Profile from artist management company
  30. ^ a b c https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p284739 Bio
  31. ^ McAllister, Gwyn (29 August 2012). "Vibraphonist, steel drums, and women of jazz at Union Chapel". The Martha's Vineyard Times. Retrieved 10 July 2024.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Luis Perdomo (pianist).

List of Venezuelan Americans

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