Chris Perry (musician)

Chris Perry (born Christovam Pereira; 25 November 1928 − 25 January 2002), was an Indian musician, composer, songwriter, and film producer who combined jazz with Konkani music.^[1] He was known in India as the 'King of Cha Cha Cha' and the 'Man with the Golden Trumpet',^[2] and was the composer of the signature song of All India Radio.^[3]

Chris Perry
Birth name	Christovam Pereira
Also known as	King of Cha Cha Cha Man with the Golden Trumpet
Born	(1928-11-25)25 November 1928 Borda, Goa, Portuguese India
Died	25 January 2002(2002-01-25) (aged 73) Margao, Goa, India
Genres	Jazz Konkani music Indian classical music World music
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instrument(s)	Trumpet saxophone flute piano guitar

Early life and career

Chris Perry was born Christovam Pereira in 1928 in Borda, the second of eight children born to Agostinho and Espiciosa Pereira.^[4]

Perry's family was musical and, at a young age, he entered the Tiatr (musical theater) scene, under the name 'Bab Pinto'. He began staging his own tiatrs; he is remembered locally for the plays Noxibantlo Nhovro, Padricho Lob, and Vid Mog Kornaranchem. He became a proficient musician, particularly on the trumpet and saxophone, known for having perfect pitch (Absolute pitch), and for his ability to switch from trumpet to saxophone mid-song. He was also a prolific songwriter, writing many of the hits of his time.^[5] Perry took the traditional Goan style of music and blended it with jazz.^[6]

Through the late '50s, Perry moved back and forth between Bombay and Calcutta (now Kolkata), and had his own band, the Chris Perry Band. Even after becoming well-established, Perry had to take part in the accepted practice of finding gigs. Every morning, Goan musicians gathered at the Calcutta restaurant Alfred's. The major bandleaders—Perry, Tony Cyril, Dennis Vaz, Johnny Rodriges, Johnny Baptista, Mike Machado, had their own tables. Anyone who was having an event that evening would come in and "order" musicians, e.g. 'one trumpet and one piano'. Each musician was paid 15 rupees; 18 if they wore white jackets with black trousers. Perry also occasionally played in a two-trumpet act at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel with the jazz star of the day, Chic Chocolate.^[7]

In the late 1950s, Bombay was an extremely cosmopolitan city, and people from all over the world had settled there. Western influences were flooding in and everything was becoming westernized—especially fashion and music. The best restaurants served Western food, and offered dance floors and jazz bands. At the pinnacle of these restaurants was La Bella, in Bombay's Fort District. Anyone who was anyone was there, the place was packed every night and, because alcohol was still strictly prohibited, the doors were closed to reporters. It is known, however, that the Chris Perry band got their foot in the Bombay door at La Bella (and, because Goa was still under Portuguese rule, they had to have special visas to work there).^[8]

By 1960, Perry and his band had a regular gig at Venice, the sophisticated nightclub in Bombay's Astoria Hotel. The Astoria is on Churchgate Street, the city's music and entertainment hub, and Venice was known as the 'jazz man's jazz club', a rendezvous for musicians from around India. Dave Brubeck played there in 1958, Duke Ellington in 1963.^[9]

Personal life

In 1960, at the Bandra Fair in Bombay, Perry saw a 16 year-old singer, Lorna Cordeiro, perform the song "Underneath the Mango Tree". She was so good, and the audience reception so great, that he offered her a place with his band. Cordeiro, who was also from Goa and who had been brought to Bombay by the musician Raymond Albuquerque after she won a Connie Francis sound-a-like contest, was still in school. But she accepted and Perry became her mentor.^[10]

Cordeiro, who was compared to Shirley Bassey and Bessie Smith, had a powerful Contralto and a natural feel for jazz. Perry rehearsed with her for six months before introducing her to audiences, and taught her how to dress, move on stage and use the microphone. She made her debut at the Lido Room in the elegant Firpo's Restaurant, Calcutta, singing Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Cry Me a River." The band then began touring—to Delhi, Mussoorie, Shimla, and Ooty, before settling in Bombay.^[11]

Perry was known as a genius, a perfectionist, and an obsessive. (According to his son, he slept with his trumpet and, every morning, before doing anything else, had a cigarette and blew the trumpet.^[12] His drummer, Diogo DeSouza, said: "Whoever joined his band ended up refining his craft. He could tell from a distance even if one small note went wrong on any instrument. He would meticulously write down the notes for each musician and he expected them to play it just the way he wanted." According to De Souza, Perry once gave a band member a black eye for playing a note incorrectly. It was a show night. He brought the musician an ice pack, and gave all band members dark glasses. It became their look for the evening. Perry was also a gambler, known for losing the band's wages at the racetrack.^[13]

Perry wrote and recorded several Konkani language albums with Cordeiro. He was signed to His Master's Voice, (HMV), which initially refused to let Cordeiro record in the Konkani language. Perry fought on her behalf and HMV relented. Once the music was released, Cardeiro's career was on its way. From then on, she was known simply as 'Lorna', and was a household name throughout India. Perry's songs were catchy, toe-tapping or romantic; all were a blend of Goan folk music and jazz elements. These songs became instant hits and garnered significant radio play; their popularity was helped by the love story between the two.^[14]

Audiences were drawn to Lorna, and to the obvious chemistry between her and Perry. Despite the fact that Perry was a married Catholic man with three sons, and their large age difference, the two began a very public extramarital affair. This created additional chemistry on-stage; off-stage, Perry was jealous to the point where he would punch any man who spoke to Lorna.^[15] The relationship ended in 1973, when Perry returned to his wife and family. However, he forced Cordeiro to sign a contract agreeing to not perform with anyone else for twenty years. Perry enforced this contract, often with violence. Despite the fact that she was a mega-star throughout India, and was known as the 'Nightingale of Goa', Cordeiro had to leave the music world completely.^[16] She never married, and became a recluse and alcoholic. In 1995, when Perry was no longer a threat to her, she made a successful comeback.^[17]

Perry encouraged the careers of other musicians and his songs were performed by Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Usha Uthup, Adolf Fernandes, Seby Fernandes, Hema Sardesai, Lulu Fortes, C. Alvares, Ophelia, Mohana, M. Boyer and H. Britton.

Later career

By the mid-1970s, Bombay's jazz scene was dying. The government had raised the entertainment tax to 40%, making the business unviable for smaller establishments. Many musicians left the country or switched to film work.^[18] Perry went into film. He worked as an assistant to film composer Mohammed Zahur Khayyam, conducted Khayyam's orchestra for the film Trishul and Kabhi Kabhi.^[19] He also worked for the composers Laxmikant–Pyarelal, R. D. Burman and Kalyanji–Anandji. In 1977, he co-founded a film production company which produced Bhuierantlo Munis (Cave Man or Man From the Caves), the first colour film in the Konkani language. The movie was based on Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo, which features a prominent character named Abbé Faria, which in turn was based on the Goan Catholic monk, Abbé Faria. Perry wrote the music and songs, including the hit Dulpod "Undrea Mhojea Mama", and the popular songs "Bhuierantlo Munis", "Nokre", "Chup Chup" and "Adeus".^[20]

Perry died of Parkinson's disease in Goa in 2002. Two of his sons, Glenn Perry and Miles Perry, who recorded the hit song "Moje Maim" when they were children, are successful musicians.^[21] In 2019, a road in Margao was re-named 'Chris Perry Street'.^[22]

In 2015, Goan director Bardroy Barretto released the award-winning film Nachom-ia Kumpasar (Let's Dance to the Rhythm). It is a musical drama, in Konkani, which tells the story of the romance between Perry and Lorna, who are played by Vijay Maurya and Palomi Ghosh. The story is told through 17 popular Konkani songs from the 1960s and 1970s that were re-recorded for this film. Most of the songs were written by Perry, and the list includes those that were originally recorded by Perry and Lorna. These include "Abghat Kelo",^[23] "Aik Re Khobrankara",^[24] "Tuzo Mog",^[25] and the song that launched Lorna's career, "Nachoiea Kumpasar".^[26]

Awards

• Best Composer, Sound of Surprise, Bombay Musicians' Association (Cine Musicians Association) 1964^[27]

Discography

Albums

• Concanim Hit Parade With Chris Perry And A Galaxy Of Top Artistes (1969), EMI, His Master's Voice^[28]
• Concanim Hits (1971), His Master's Voice^[29][30]
• Maze Le Lo (1976, with Mahesh Kumar, Naresh Kumar, Shakila Bano Bhopali), His Master's Voice
• Frank Fernand And Chris Perry Vol 2 (1976)
• Hit Music From Goa (1977), EMI^[31]
• Concanim Hits: Chris Perry And A Host Of Stars (1979)^[32]
• Chris Perry's Golden Hits (1979, Lorna Cordeiro, Usha Mangeshkar, Ambar Kumar, Miles Perry, Giles Perry, H. Britton, Bab Peter, Tony Carr, M. Boyer, Antonet, Adolf. Re-released 2006)^[33]
• Lorna-Unforgettable Hits (2007, Lorna Cordeiro, as writer and arranger), Sinaris^[34]

EPs

• Bebdo (1969, Lorna), His Master's Voice^[35]
• Chris Perry's Hit Songs (1970, Mohammed Rafi & Lorna Cordeiro), His Master's Voice^[36]
• Chris Perry's Hit Songs (Concanim) (1973, Mohammed Rafi & Lorna Cordeiro), His Master's Voice^[37]
• From Usha With Love (1976), EMI^[38]
• Super Pops III (1979), Philips Records^[39]

Singles

• "Figaro Adlam" / "Tabdem Caoado" (1958), Columbia Records^[40]
• "Maim Sun" / "Chockri Chor" (1958), Columbia^[41]
• "Bombay Baion" / "Valentina's Escape" (1966), His Master's Voice^[42]
• "Piso" (1969) Lorna Cordeiro
• "Bebdo" (1969) Lorna Cordeiro
• "Saudichem Gantar" (1969) Lorna Cordeiro
• "Sopon" (1969) Lorna Cordeiro
• "Caliz Boong Bang Zata" (1969), Tony Carr & Delphine
• "Noxibac Roddtam" (1970), Lorna Cordeiro and Mohammed Rafi
• "Maria" (1970), Lorna Cordeiro and Mohammed Rafi
• "Bom Jesuchea Conventan" (1970), Lorna Cordeiro and Mohammed Rafi
• "Combea Sadari" (1970), Lorna Cordeiro and Mohammed Rafi
• "Tuzo Mog" (1971), Lorna Cordeiro
• "Nachoea La-Bam-Ba" (1971), Lorna Cordeiro
• "Abghat Kelo"(1971), Lorna Cordeiro
• "Aik Re Khobrankara" (1971), Lorna Cordeiro
• "Amerikak Pauxi"
• "Lisboa"
• "Sorga Rajeant"
• "Fottkiro Mog"^[43]
• "Red Rose" Lorna Cordeiro^[44]
• "I'll Always Love You"
• "Moje Put" (1969), M. Boyer^[45]
• "Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu" (1973), Tony Carr
• "Mog Boom Boom Boom" (1973), Bab Peter
• "Moje Maim" (1973), Giles Perry, Miles Perry^[46]
• "Beautiful" (1974), Usha Uthup
• "Marialina" (1976), H. Britton
• "Bus Conductor" (1976), H. Britton
• "Kazarachem Utor" (1976), H. Britton
• "Nokre" (1976), Adolf Fernandes
• "Aik Re Khobrankara"
• "Nachoiea Kumpasar"
• "Piti Piti Mog", Antonet

Film credits (music)

• Kabhi Kabhie (1976)^[47]
• Trishul (1978, uncredited-music department)
• Nachom-ia Kumpasar (2015)^[48]

References

1. . Goa-world.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
2. "Music Legends of Indian Cinema". facebook.com. Facebook. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
3. "All India Radio Signature tune". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
4. Dorin, Stéphane. "Swingin' India: The Colonial and Postcolonial Diffusion of Jazz in India, May 2012". cairn-int.info. Cairn International Edition. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
5. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
6. "[Gulf Goans] Chris Perry - The Music Magician". Mail-archive.com. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
7. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
8. Bhatia, Sidharth. "All that Jazz, Sept 2019". mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com. Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
9. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
10. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
11. Nagpaul, Dipti (24 May 2015). "The love song of Lorna Cordeiro...May 2015". indianexpress.com. Indian Express. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
12. Fernandes, Naresh (3 January 2015). "Morning you play different, evening you play different". Scroll.in. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
13. Nagpaul, Dipti (24 May 2015). "The love song of Lorna Cordeiro...May 2015". indianexpress.com. Indian Express. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
14. Nagpaul, Dipti (24 May 2015). "The love song of Lorna Cordeiro...May 2015". indianexpress.com. Indian Express. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
15. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
16. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
17. Nagpaul, Dipti (24 May 2015). "The love song of Lorna Cordeiro...May 2015". indianexpress.com. Indian Express. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
18. Nagpaul, Dipti (24 May 2015). "The love song of Lorna Cordeiro...May 2015". indianexpress.com. Indian Express. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
19. "Full Cast & Crew - Music Department". imdb.com. IMDB. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
20. Das, Arti (4 June 2019). "First Konkani colour film...June 2019". scroll.in. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
21. Raha, Sonali (26 June 2003). "Talking Relationships...June 2003". gulfnews.com. Gulf News. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
22. "Margo to Have Its Chris Perry Street, Apr 2019". The Times of India. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
23. "Abghat Kelo - Lorna". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
24. "Aik Re Khobrankara - Lorna". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
25. "Tuzo Mog - Lorna". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
26. "Nachoiea Kumpasar - Lorna & Chorus". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
27. Fernandes, Naresh (19 May 2015). "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay, May 2015". qz.com. Quartz India. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
28. "Chris Perry – Concanim Hit Parade". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1969. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
29. "Chris Perry – Concanim Hits". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1971. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
30. "Chris Perry – Concanim Hits 1971 His Master's Voice". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
31. "Various – Hit Music From Goa". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1977. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
32. "Concanim Hits Chris Perry And A Host Of Stars". last.fm. Lastfm. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
33. "Chris Perry's Golden Hits". amazon.com. Amazon. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
34. "Lorna (12) – Unforgettable Hits". discogs.com. Discogs. January 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
35. "Miss Lorna* – Bebdo". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1969. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
36. "Chris Perry's Hit Songs". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1970. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
37. "Chris Perry (6) – Chris Perry's Hit Songs (Concanim)". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1973. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
38. "Usha* – From Usha With Love (Concanim)". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1976. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
39. "Chris Perry - Super Pops III". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1979. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
40. "Chris Perry – Figaro Adlam / Tabdem Caoado". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
41. "Chris Perry – Maim Sun / Chockri Chor". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
42. "A. Amin*, Chris Perry & His Band – Bombay Baion / Valentina's Escape". discogs.com. Discogs. 20 August 1966. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
43. "Lorna - Fottkiro Mog". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
44. "Red Rose - Lorna". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
45. "Moje Put". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
46. "Mhoje Maim - Giles & Miles Perry". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
47. "Kabhi Kabhie". imdb.com. IMDB. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
48. "Nachom-ia Kumpasar". IMDB. imdb.com. Retrieved 6 February 2022.

External links

• Chris Perry at IMDb