PJ Perry

Paul John Guloien CM, known professionally as PJ Perry, born December 2, 1941, is a Canadian jazz saxophonist. Perry was born to saxophonist Paul Guloien, who performed under the name Paul Perry, and Margaret Yeo. After playing piano and clarinet as a boy, he joined his father's dance band at 14 as a baritone saxophonist. In 1975, he moved to Edmonton, working extensively with Tommy Banks' jazz group, big band, and studio orchestra, with his own jazz band, and (on call) with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. During his career, which has focused on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, he has played alongside Michel LeGrand, Ray Charles, Henry Mancini, Aretha Franklin, and Dizzy Gillespie, among many others. PJ Perry has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He has won one JUNO award as a solo artist and one for his work with the Rob McConnell Tentet. Winner of a 1993 JUNO Award for Best Jazz Recording for his album "My Ideal," PJ has received Jazz Report magazine's Critic's Choice Award for Best Alto Sax for a record-breaking seven years, from 1993 to 1999. In 2007, PJ was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta. PJ Perry, 76, began his musical career in 1956 and since then has received numerous awards including the Order of Canada and seven National Jazz Awards. He has become recognized by critics, colleagues, and listeners as being one of North America's premier saxophonists.

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