Colin Perry won my musical heart rapidly. You can compile your lists of who he sounds like, to quote Barbara Lea — I think of Mister Morton and all kinds of singers, guitarists, entertainers, comedians — but he’s deep in all kinds of wonderful idioms and he sounds true to himself and true to the music he creates. And so expressive that every performance is three-dimensional, a dramatic piece that can stand on its own. Performing music in a theatrical idiom popular a century ago could very easily lead to caricature, broad strokes where the “modern” performer stands at an ironic distance, but Colin is alive in his songs. 

Michael Steinman - Jazz Lives

Colin Perry, with Appalachian roots, is a perfect conduit to explore the continuing connection between Americana, blues, and jazz. The stripped down lyric forward nature of the duo had me thinking of Leon Redbone, or maybe Ian Whitcomb, but there is no element of parody or comedy aside from what might be intended in the original lyrics. They are earnest interpreters of this music. These are the type of guys who earn a very devoted regional following.

Joe Bebco - The Syncopated Times

Colin Perry was born and raised in Whitley City, Kentucky. As a child growing up at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, he absorbed the blues, jazz, bluegrass, and old-time music the region is famed for. The offspring of an American father, and Canadian mother, Colin has deep musical roots on both sides of his family. His paternal grandfather’s brother uncle Raymond Perry frequently performed with the legendary banjo and fiddle duo Burnett and Rutherford and fiddler John Walker. Meanwhile in Toronto, his Maternal Grandfather’s brother Hugh Currie was a first call jazz bassist who frequently performed and recorded with Moe Koffman and Ed Bickert. 

Colin began his musical training on the piano. At the age of 10, inspired by Frank Schaap and Nick Stump of the Metro Blues All-Stars, he switched to guitar. He was drawn to the great solo acoustic bluesmen of the 1920’s and 30’s like Bo Carter, Tommy Johnson, and Lonnie Johnson. Hearing a duet record Lonnie Johnson made with Eddie Lang, opened Colin up to the great guitarists of the golden age of jazz who he has studied fanatically ever since.

Moving to Montreal at the age of 18, Perry immediately immersed himself in the local scene. Along with Pianist Peter Mika, he has held one of the longest running shows in Montreal. They have been performing every Wednesday night at Barfly under the name Blind, and for nearly 22 years

Colin has toured extensively across Quebec and Canada. He has shared the stage with many notable Canadian and American musicians over the course of his Career. These include Susie Arioli, Jordan Officer, Michael Jerome Browne, Stephen Barry, Diunna Greenleaf, Junior Watson, Bharath Rajakumar, Fred Kaplin, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Barbara Morrison, Steve Marriner, Emily Estrella, Joe Murphy, The Polyjesters, Dan Livingstone, Jamie Wood, and Frank Schaap.

Colin’s deep knowledge of the roots of jazz and blues guitar make him an in demand musician for a variety of styles. Just like his idols Eddie Lang, Charlie Christian, Teddy Bunn, and Jim Hall, he is a sensitive accompanist to any style of early American music, be it Blues, Jazz, R&B, or Country. He brings a sophisticated restraint to his performances that always strives to elevate the song and the other performers.