Listen to Episode 37: iTunes – Spotify – Stitcher – Soundcloud
Dr. Brian N. Perez is a saxophone and woodwind performer, educator, and composer. Dr. Perez is Director of Jazz Studies and woodwinds at Texas Southern University where his duties include directing the jazz ensembles, teaching jazz curriculum courses, teaching the woodwind studio and coordinating the jazz area. Under Perez’s direction the TSU Jazz Ensembles have performed for the Jazz Education Network National Conference with Kirk Whalum, the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the HBCU Band Directors Consortium, The Houston Urban League, has hosted the Essentially Ellington Regional Competition and is currently working on releasing an album this year.
Perez holds D.M.A. in saxophone performance from the University of Maryland College Park in 2014. He graduated with honors with a Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami, holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and has studied at the L’Aula Conservatori del Musica in Barcelona, Spain. Perez’s teaching career has includes 10 years as Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Ensembles at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Here he also established a program in Jazz and Popular Music and served for two years as Department Coordinator. Past positions include Salisbury University, Miami Dade Community College, and has served as guest clinician for University of Miami Young Musician’s Camp, the Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival, as well as others.
Perez is a regular member of the Conrad O. Johnson Orchestra and the Houston Jazz Orchestra – which was recently awarded a Disney Motif Award for performance and outreach. He has also performed with artists such as Tom Harrell, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Ruben Blades, and the Temptations. As a solo artist he has performed nationally and internationally including Spain, Colombia, and Venezuela. Perez’s latest album Blues for the Current Status of Your 401k is a high-energy voyage that explores the depth of sound of his unique compositional and improvisational style. The Brian Perez Quartet has performed nationally and internationally including Barcelona & Madrid Spain, Manizales Colombia & Caracas Venezuela.
Topics discussed:
- Changing music scenes and moving to Houston
- Having an emergency fund after loss of income
- Having the courage to take the leap
- Leaving a stable higher education position
- Talking with your spouse about a music career
- Financial literacy
- Long-term goals
- 401(k) plans
- Autonomy of one’s time
- Self worth
- Band directing
- The competitive state of music in Texas
- Asking for financial compensation
- Running 50k marathons
- Pushing your limits
Resources & names mentioned:
- Texas Southern University
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Dave Ramsey
- “Blues for the current state of your 401k”
- TRS (Texas Retirement System)
- TMEA
- JEN
- Kirk Whalum
- Monterey Jazz Festival
- Essentially Ellington Competition
Connect with Brian:
Thanks for listening and keep thriving!
