User:Paulperess

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Paul Peress (born in New York, NY) is a well-known drummer, bandleader, and composer, mainly known for his work as bandleader under his name.

Since the mid 90's, his group has featured several prominent artists - including Anthony Jackson, Mark Whitfield, Brandon Fields, Jeff Golub, Mark Egan, Bob Malach, Helio Alves, Michael Paulo, Lincoln Goines, and Will Lee - and has appeared internationally at renowned festivals such as BET's Jazz St. Lucia, The St. Kitts Music Festival, Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival, and throughout the Caribbean, Canada, the US - from Catalina to San Salvador. His band's 2002 St. Lucia Music Festival performance has aired repeatedly on BET's television series, "St. Lucia Special".

Peress has produced 4 CD's as solo artist: "Double Exposure" (1990), "The Next Step - Live at Chaz & Wilson's" (1997), "Awakening" (2002), and "Then Again" (2005) - which, along with a cover painted by Peter Max, features the new Trio of Peress, piano sensation Helio Alves and bass legend Lincoln Goines. "Awakening" was Grammy nominated under the categories of "Best New Artist", "Best Latin Pop Instrumental Performance", and "Best Latin Pop Performance with Vocals".

Of Puerto Rican heritage, Peress is most noted as a Latin jazz drummer, and has worked with several jazz greats, including: Arturo O'Farrill, Jimmy Smith, Candido, John Lewis, Russell Ferrante, David Amram, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Mark Egan, Matthew Garrison, Jimmy Heath, Will Lee, Brian Bromberg, Jimmy Haslip, Vic Juris...

Peress grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and began studying violin at the age of 6. He played trumpet in the Jr. High School marching band, and got his first drum set at the age of 16. He moved to NY in 1980, and studied with Kenwood Dennard, then Kim Plainfield. Both teachers heavily influenced him in the Latin and Brazilian jazz genres.

Originally a jazz/rock drummer, Peress and his sister formed the band Double Exposure (circa 1986). They put out a CD in 1990, as the band was appearing at several hot spots in New York, including the now defunct Mikell's jazz club. The band had a Steely Dan edge to it, and portentously featured several future Steely Dan sidemen, including Jeff Pevar, Jon Herington, Drew Zing, Tom Barney, and Lincoln Schleifer.

The band broke up in 1990, and Peress began working around town as a sideman in various projects, including, in 1994, leading the house band at Chicago B.L.U.E.S. He landed a weekly Brazilian gig at the Citrus Lounge - running from 1995 to 1997 - and started working with some of NYC's greatest Latin artists. This led to his first big break as a solo artist - an appearance with his band at the first annual St. Kitts Music Festival in 1996, followed up by return engagements in 1999, 2002, and 1995!

A versatile drummer, Peress is equally adept at jazz, Brazilian, Latin, Funk, Soul, and Rock. His playing is heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Jazz rhythms. His self-expressed "world roots without borders" style is most evident on his latest CD, "Then Again" - which seamlessly runs the gamut from Brazilian to West African to funky jazz. The CD features Peress' new trio with Alves and Goines. The bands chemistry is remarkable, with each artist following each-others musical whims with exceptional execution.

Some of Peress' favorite drummers are Steve Gadd, William Kennedy, Elvin Jones, Harvey Mason, Joey Heredia, and Peter Erskine.

More on Paul Peress at the following 2 links:

Google- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=paul+peress&btnG=Google+Search

Paul Peress website- http://www.paulperess.com