Ray Perry

Ray Perry (February 25, 1915 – 1950) was an American jazz violinist and saxophonist.

Perry was born in 1915 to a musical family and began playing the violin at a young age, while his brothers Joe and Bay became a baritonist and drummer, respectively. Perry sang during his violin solos, inspiring Slam Stewart to continue the practice on bass. He performed more frequently on alto saxophone.

He worked bread and butter gigs with the best in the business, including Dean Earl (1935), Clarence Carter (1937–39, not the R&B singer), Blanche Calloway (1940), and Lionel Hampton (1940–43). Despite his short career, Ray Perry worked with many jazz artists, including:

  • Shadow Wilson
  • Illinois Jacquet (1946–47, 1950)
  • Vernon Alley
  • J. C. Heard (1946)
  • Joe Newman
  • Fred Beckett
  • Sabby Lewis (1948)
  • Sir Charles Thompson
  • Irving Ashby

Many of his records failed to gain a wide following, but he was very successful until poor health prevented him from touring. Two of Perry's albums remain popular - Jumpin' Jacquet and 50 Sublimes Chanteurs de Jazz. Some of his more famous songs are Flyin' Home, How High the Moon, Love is the Thing, Boog It, and I Want a Little Girl.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 25, 1915 (Boston), Died 1950 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, violin, tenor saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 70100 10-in. 12/24/1941 Just for you Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, violin, alto saxophone  
Decca 70101 10-in. 12/24/1941 Southern echoes Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, violin, alto saxophone  
Decca 70102 10-in. 12/24/1941 My wish Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, violin, alto saxophone  
Decca 70103 10-in. 12/24/1941 Nola Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, violin, alto saxophone  
Decca 70416 10-in. 3/2/1942 Royal family Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, violin, tenor saxophone  
Decca 70417 10-in. 3/2/1942 I can't believe that you're in love with me Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, violin, tenor saxophone  
Decca 70418 10-in. 3/2/1942 Blues in the news Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, violin, tenor saxophone  
Decca 70419 10-in. 3/2/1942 Exactly like you Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, violin, tenor saxophone  
Decca 70771 10-in. 5/26/1942 Now I know Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 70772 10-in. 5/26/1942 Half a love is better than none Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 70773 10-in. 5/26/1942 Flying home Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 70774 10-in. 5/26/1942 In the bag Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Perry, Ray," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/207855.

Perry, Ray. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/207855.

"Perry, Ray." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/207855

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