Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
New York-based guitarist Bill Perry, whose powerful blues playing and raspy vocals made him a favored sideman and prolific leader, died Tuesday at 49 years of age.
The musician was found at his apartment in Sugar Loaf, N.Y., according to a statement from his label, Blind Pig Records. Emergency medical personnel tried to revive Perry, but he died on the way to the hospital, an apparent heart attack victim, although no official cause of death has been determined.
Perry first made his mark in the clubs of New York in the 1980s, when he was spotted by folk-rock singer Richie Havens. Perry spent four years on the road as the featured guitarist in Havens’ band. During the same period, he also toured with The Band’s Garth Hudson and Levon Helm.
Good friend and labelmate Popa Chubby produced Perry’s most recent release, Don’t Know Nothin’ About Love. “The best thing about Bill was that his talent was effortless,” he said. “He was a natural. He could sing the phone book and draw you in. He didn’t have a mean or a bad bone in him. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He was a brother and I’ll miss him dearly.”
Perry is survived by his 25-year-old son, Aaron, three brothers and a sister.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
Mar 10, 2026 1:43 PM
Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
