Name: Gene Perla
Local: 802 New York, NY
Office Sought: Executive Board Member-At-Large
Campaign Statement: I joined Boston Local 535 in 1963, now 802.
10 years classical piano lessons, 5 years trombone, at 24 switched to bass. My first major professional job was Willie Bobo featuring Carlos “Patato” Valdes. Between 1967-1974, I toured and/or recorded with Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones (455 gigs), Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Sonny Rollins.
My PM Records label has issued 64 albums some under the SRLA.
I taught 20 years at Lehigh University, creating two music business courses on production and marketing which morphed into a music business minor degree. Since 2008 I’ve been teaching music business and ensembles at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
I’m an 802 union steward representing our part-time teachers.
Freelance independent musicians need representation and it should be our goal to create a place for us within the AFM. I’m confident that together we can accomplish this goal.