Jazz Alumni’s “Spotlight On . . .” series welcomes David Perrico (B.M., ’03)
February 25, 2021
YSU’s Jazz Alumni program welcomed Dana School of Music alumnus David Perrico in the virtual second installment of their “Spotlight On . . .” series February 25.
Perrico graduated from YSU with a Bachelor of Music in 2003 and earned his Master of Music in jazz studies and composition from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Since permanently relocating to Las Vegas in 2004, he has become one of the city’s most in-demand musicians.
Perrico has performed internationally with legendary names such as Tommy Dorsey and has been featured in headlining shows such as “Donny & Marie,” “Pin Up,” “Natalie Cole,” Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis,” and “Phantom of the Opera.” He has 15 CD and 5 DVD recordings under his belt, including “The Family Guy Live” DVD and the Grammy Award-winning album “One Voice” by Gladys Knight.
As a composer, Perrico has received national awards for original jazz and symphonic compositions and earned a spotlight in the PBS series “artScene” with his 20-piece band Pop Evolution. He has also served as music director and lead trumpet for Paul Shaffer at Caesars Palace Las Vegas and worked as an adjunct faculty member in UNLV’s jazz studies program.
In 2015, Perrico debuted the Pop Strings Orchestra at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. Since its conception, the orchestra has held residencies at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesar’s Palace and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra currently serves as the house band for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Perrico’s interview can be viewed here.