Emanuel "Manuel" Perez (28 December 1871 â€" 1946) was an early New
Orleans jazz cornetist and bandleader.Some details of his early life
remain obscure. He was born into a Creole of Color family of Spanish,
French and African descent. One of his ancestors was an officer of the
free black regiment which fought in the Battle of New Orleans.At the
turn of the century, Perez became a member of the Onward Brass Band,
leading it from 1903 to 1930. He also started his own brass band,
called the Imperial Orchestra, which operated from 1901â€"1908. The
Onward Brass Band was one of the most respected of its day. Some of
the best-known players in New Orleans were a part of the group,
including King Oliver, Peter Bocage, Henry Kimball, Lorenzo Tio, Luis
Tio, George Baquet, Isidore Barbarin, and Benny Williams. The Perez
and Oliver two cornet, or "trumpet" team, was one of the most renowned
in New Orleans. Perez was known for his beautiful tone, staying close
to the lead, while Oliver improvised variations as a second cornet
part.Later, Perez went north to Chicago in 1915, playing with Charles
Elgar's Creole Orchestra at the Arsonia Cafe and also with the Arthur
Sims Band. Although Elgar and his Creole Orchestra recorded a few
sides (albums) during this period, Perez is not heard on any of these
early recordings.
Orleans jazz cornetist and bandleader.Some details of his early life
remain obscure. He was born into a Creole of Color family of Spanish,
French and African descent. One of his ancestors was an officer of the
free black regiment which fought in the Battle of New Orleans.At the
turn of the century, Perez became a member of the Onward Brass Band,
leading it from 1903 to 1930. He also started his own brass band,
called the Imperial Orchestra, which operated from 1901â€"1908. The
Onward Brass Band was one of the most respected of its day. Some of
the best-known players in New Orleans were a part of the group,
including King Oliver, Peter Bocage, Henry Kimball, Lorenzo Tio, Luis
Tio, George Baquet, Isidore Barbarin, and Benny Williams. The Perez
and Oliver two cornet, or "trumpet" team, was one of the most renowned
in New Orleans. Perez was known for his beautiful tone, staying close
to the lead, while Oliver improvised variations as a second cornet
part.Later, Perez went north to Chicago in 1915, playing with Charles
Elgar's Creole Orchestra at the Arsonia Cafe and also with the Arthur
Sims Band. Although Elgar and his Creole Orchestra recorded a few
sides (albums) during this period, Perez is not heard on any of these
early recordings.
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