With the Paul Dresher Ensemble at the New ODC Theater, Nov. 12-13

About J  a  c  k    P  e  r  l  a

I’m a composer, pianist and improviser. And even though I’m a bit of a perfectionist my music is ultimately about the flow of things. Oftentimes that flow is inspired by my experiences – the people, art and literature I’ve come in contact with. They blur the lines between inspiration, and what I can do as an performer and create as a composer. I’ve been fortunate to work with many great musicians, including North Indian artists Zakir Hussain and Ronu Majumdar, bluegrass virtuosos Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, and AfroPop bandleader Ken Okulolu. Every sound from these collaborations has had an effect on me – my musical style and perception. As a composer, my goal is to embrace all the music I love to listen to and play, whether late Beethoven or late Coltrane. This gets me closer to that flow, to things unspoken that only music can reach.