Paul Perez

Biography

Paul Perez began playing the saxophone in high school and was soon performing on the club circuit throughout the Central Valley. He joined several cross-country tours while he was in high school, performing gigs from Vancouver to Washington, D.C. He continued sax studies with his friend and mentor Ray Meder. He also attended the L.A. Jazz Workshop, studying under notable saxophonists Matt Cattingub, Pete Christlieb, Bill Green, Jackie Kelso, Lanny Morgan, and Don Rafael. Returning to Bakersfield, he contacted Doug Davis about "sitting in" with the CSUB Jazz Ensemble and found himself preparing for the guest appearance of his idol Michael Brecker for the annual Jazz Jam. Recognizing Perez's talent, Brecker asked Paul to join him in an extended improvisational interchange at the concert, producing five minutes of the most hair-raising display of improvisational fire. Three years later, Jazz Jam soloist Ernie Watts would again give Paul an opportunity to show he could stand "toe to toe" with the greatest saxophonists alive. Perez graduated with honors from CSUB and won numerous outstanding soloist awards in festival appearances. His playing is showcased on many CSUB recordings. On graduating, he toured and recorded with the legendary Tower of Power as their featured saxophone soloist. Perez has performed on tours with Smokey Robinson and Donna Summer, and his sax is featured in the movies "Tortilla Heaven" and Quentin Tarrentino's "Curdled." He also can be heard on most episodes of "Resurrection Boulevard" on Showtime.