Today we’d like to introduce you to Jauron Perry
Hi Jauron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path in music began early for me at 8 years old. I wanted to be in an elementary school band and needed an instrument. My mother did not want to pay the expensive cost just to rent one, so after talking to my grandparents, my grandfather gave me a trumpet he bought for my father about 30 years before. My father never really got into playing it. That was how I got my first horn. From there, after having a slow start to achieving a sound, eventually much progress came with much practice and I genuinely enjoyed my improvement. I then chose to continue playing music through elementary and middle school. My name is Jauron Perry, a trumpeter who has come to love the art form of music, and at the center of it, a music called jazz. I have now been playing trumpet for 12 years now, and jazz for 8 years.
When I was 12 years old, my life changed. I joined a youth music program called “Spartan Youth Jazz” through the Michigan State University Community Music School in Detroit (CMSD). There, I was introduced to jazz and soon developed an entirely new perspective on the possibilities of music. The culture and history of the blues, swing, and the great legends who have come before was so captivating that I absolutely had to continue studying it. The art of improvising, learning the sacred language of bebop, always drew me in. I accredit so much to the CMSD program for my upbringing and now I give back to it through the performance and mentorship work I do through the MSU College of Music as well as arts administration at their location office.
When I began high school at the Detroit School of Arts (DSA), I decided that performing professionally was for me. This was the start of something that would soon grant me access to many doors of opportunity. I have a mission to spread an undeniable message of unity and awareness through music. Forever eager to gain more knowledge to excel in my craft, forever a student of the music. It is my life’s goal to master this music and expand on it with my own style to create stories for others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s always many challenges behind every story, and mine is no different. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to usually always be around the right people at the right time, making many strong connections that will benefit throughout my career, however, the obstacles I’ve faced have been more personal ones for me. There were some here and there where I dealt with not feeling accepted, not feeling good enough or valid for this music or career, but the absolute greatest one was when my grandfather passed away a couple years ago in 2022. He is at the core of who I am as a person and why I do what I do as an artist. When he transitioned, I felt like there was no pain that could be worse and accepting him being gone took awhile and somewhat hindered my academic and musical progress, but I had to realize that I needed to take his memory and channel it through character and the music.
He gave me my first trumpet and I will always be grateful to him for influencing me, but I never got to ask him why he kept the horn all that time. I hope to be more sure of why one day later in my career.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in music performance, jazz composition, and music education. I often showcase straight ahead jazz with various groups including my own, the Jauron Perry Quintet, but can be flexible between other genres. I would say I am known for mainly straight ahead since that is where I claim to be musical rooted as far as when I became active and the scene I grew up around in Detroit.
Composition has been emphasized for me in recent years and I am naturally following a path of mentorship through attending school at the MSU College of Music and participating in other opportunities that allow me to do so including Ready, Set, Audition to College, which is a free program that pairs high school students of color with student mentors to help prepare them for collegiate music programs that require auditions. Also, I dedicate my following of the mentorship path to the “each one, teach one” tradition I took from the great educators of Detroit such as Rodney Whitaker and Wendell Harrison.
I am most proud of my quintet’s recent performances at the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival. We won the Festival’s Collegiate Combo Competition, giving us a slot on the main stage for our main set on Sunday, Sept. 1. During the festival weekend, on Friday, we were one of the first ever groups to perform at the brand new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University.
I feel that what sets me apart from others is my natural ability to put sincerity and a vibe behind everything I play no matter the style.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can work with me by contacting me through the information on my website https://www.jauronperry.com/. Everything is there such as my phone number, email, and social media. Your additional support would be greatly appreciated by donating to my career through Zelle and Venmo. My Zelle is 248-943-8935 and my Venmo is @Jauron-Perry. I’m happy to accept anything you have to give and be a part of any meaninful projects for a positive cause or worthwhile opportunities!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jauronperry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpsoultrpt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JazzKing05/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jauronperrytrumpet
Image Credits
For the Detroit Jazz Festival labeled photo – Please use the following photo crediting: “Photos courtesy Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, Jeff Dunn, photographer”
Jeff Dunn
Rod Arroyo
Finn Gomez
Kimea Wayne
