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Glenn Perry's passions
Musician Glenn Perry speaks about what led him to devote his life to charity.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:43 August 26, 2008
- Image Credit:
- The jazz guitarist, pianist and singing coach from Dubai, who is also the founder of the Dubai Music School, now spends his life touring the globe doing gigs to raise money for hungry people all over the world.
Everything about musician Glenn Perry comes straight from the heart.
Perry Jazz, as his style and songs have become known, is sensitive and echoes from deep within his soul with touches of romance, fun, jazzy grooves and rhythms that swing soft, smooth, and wild.
But while it doesn't take a genius to establish that music is his first love, Perry has a passion which comes a close second - feeding people.
A few years ago, at the height of his fame in the music world, this meant entertaining businessmen, friends and families in swanky five-star hotels from New York to London.
However, things have changed somewhat and now some of the poorest people in the world benefit from his kindness.
"My father died six years ago and I experienced pain for the first time. I decided to throw away my lavish lifestyle, the world tours and luxuries and dedicate my life to charity."
True to his word, that's exactly what he did.
The jazz guitarist, pianist and singing coach from Dubai, who is also the founder of the Dubai Music School, now spends his life touring the globe doing gigs to raise money for hungry people all over the world.
And when he's not on stage, he gets right into the heart of the world's issues, volunteering to take food to the mouths of the starving.
"It is the most humbling experience and I wouldn't change a thing. It often means putting my own life in danger but that is not something I even think about. When you are stood in front of a small child who hasn't eaten for days and you can help, you will go to whatever lengths you can to help feed that human being. This work has opened my eyes to just how much pain and suffering is out there and I will help as much as I can."
Food for life
The Glenn Perry Jazz Band musical recipe is a brew of pure jazz, Caribbean and Latino influences.
Perry was the first artist from Dubai to make it onto the small screen, featured on MTV where four of his videos were extensively shown through the 90s.
To date he has recorded and released 10 albums in Los Angeles and New York and now spreads his time between the US and Dubai.
"Music is my food for life and I know I couldn't make it through a day without it. I was the founder of the very first music school in the UAE almost 30 years ago in 1980, and it gives me so much pleasure to try and give the wonder of music to all my students. There is no better feeling than watching a youngster or adult get lost in music because of your direction.
"The UAE is packed with talented people and I want to try and promote, encourage and help as many as I can."
Today, Dubai Music School has become an environment for learning that breeds excellence and offers a unique opportunity to find out what one is fully capable of achieving musically.
‘I had to do something'
Perry had his first hit single in Dubai in the early '80s called Welcome to The UAE, which was a major hit in the local market and helped put the country on the map.
Now a self-confessed humanitarian, Perry admits his life has taken a very different turn but adds he wouldn't have it any other way.
The list of charity concerts, sponsored events and benefit gigs Perry has done is endless. A few of the people who have been lucky enough to benefit from his hard work and generosity are Cancer Research, Starving Children of Africa, Help Lebanon, Help the Aged, Orphans Around the World, World Disasters, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Tsunami Victims and many more.
"After the tsunami I just knew I had to do something and music didn't seem enough. I raised enough money to make a start but I knew I had to go there. I flew to Sri Lanka and saw the devastation for myself. It changes you."
On October 8, 2005, he travelled to Pakistan to help earthquake victims and before that, in August 2005, he travelled to New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In 2006 he continued his charitable work by helping the victims and families of the massive earthquake in Java, Indonesia. But the next project in Kenya is even closer to his heart.
"My next plan is to help build an orphanage in a small village in Kenya. There are so many places all over the world which need help but you have to start somewhere.
"I plan to raise as much money as possible and every dirham will go to the project. I will hold concerts and help these children who have nobody."
Sing and support
Glenn Perry is set to play a concert at Mazaya Centre, Dubai, from 6pm on Friday, August 29 and will be collecting for charity.
"I would like to invite people of all ages and nationalities to come and support people far worse off than themselves. We live in a troubled world but together we can make a difference."
Perry, who is also releasing an album next month featuring music of the legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, is also encouraging people to donate clothes, stationery, shoes and money to help get his project off the ground.
Try it!
For more information contact the Dubai Music School on 04-3964834 or email at dubaimusicschool@gmail.com
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