Bassist and vocalist. Perry VanNess Vedder born October 12, 1916 in Gloversville, New York; died April 26, 1997 in Columbia, Maryland.
Began playing bass in 1940, after studying violin and dabbling with guitar. Served in U.S. Army (1942-1945) alongside Mercer Ellington and John Collins. Moved to Washington in 1949 and worked with Beulah Frazier at Dykes Stockade.
Perry’s group was named “Combo of the Year” by Washington Spotlight in 1955. Worked with Booker Coleman at Charles Hotel (1958-1964), then as leader at Mr. Smith’s (1964-1965) and The Place Where Louie Dwells (1966-1969). Appeared at Manassas Jazz Festival from 1966 on. Member of Tommy Gwaltney’s group (1970-1975).
Bibliography
Anders, Gigi. “Blues in the Night.” Washington Post, August 30, 1987.
Byler, Robert. “Van, the Man.” Mississippi Rag, April 1981.
Levy, Claudia. “Longtime Jazz Bassist Van Perry Dies at 80.” Washington Post, April 30, 1997.
Mastrangelo, Joseph P. “Hard Times & All That Jazz: Area Musicians’ Moonlight Gigs Jazzmen.” Washington Post, July 6, 1981.
Mastrangelo, Joseph P. “Jamming Tunes for The Cardozo Band.” Washington Post, December 1, 1980.
Perry, Van. Interview. Interview by W. Royal Stokes, August 7, 1986. W. Royal Stokes Collection. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Stokes, W. Royal. “Van Perry, All-American.” Washington Post, August 17, 1986.
Washington Post. “Back With a Bassist,” March 18, 1984.
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