Phil Perry

Phil Perry is a premier American R&B and crossover jazz vocalist whose career spans over five decades. Emerging from East St.

Louis as a member of the soul group The Montclairs, Perry developed a signature high-tenor and falsetto style that would become a cornerstone of the 'Quiet Storm' radio format. After a stint in the duo Perry & Sanlin, he established himself as a first-call session vocalist and a solo artist in the early 1990s. His 1991 album 'The Heart of the Man' solidified his status in the adult contemporary R&B market, particularly with his definitive cover of Aretha Franklin's 'Call Me.' Perry is critically noted for his 'vocalist's vocalist' reputation, characterized by flawless intonation and an ability to navigate complex jazz harmonies without losing the emotional core of a soul ballad. He has maintained a prolific presence in the smooth jazz circuit, frequently collaborating with instrumentalists such as Lee Ritenour, Dave Koz, and Gerald Albright. His work represents a bridge between the classic soul era and the polished, jazz-adjacent R&B of the late 20th century.