A Tribute to “Ella”
Music of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook

Vocalist Perley Rousseau and pianist Sonny Daye along with guest bassist and drummer Ted Mac Kensie (co-author of the revised edition of Buddy Rich’s Snare Drum Rudiments) present a concert filled with warmth and humor highlighting the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald from her Apollo Theatre debut at age 16 to her retirement. Ella was the first recorded voice Perley heard as a child and was greatly influenced by her music and has an affinity for her style. Signature songs such as Tisket A Tasket, How High The Moon, and The Lady Is A Tramp are included along with memorable choices from her Great American Songbook Series. Audience response to this show has been tremendously enthusiastic!

The Great American Songbook
Music of the great American song writers
“ The Golden Age of Popular Song”

This timeless music transcends generations and defines our musical heritage. Featuring vocalist Perley Rousseau, accompanied with piano by Sonny Daye, this concert highlights the music of great American composers such as Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, Ellington, Rodgers and significant others. Includes entertaining stories about the music and composers.

Voted Best Jazz Standards Duo by Metroland Magazine
“ ...Sonny & Perley know their way around what is usually called “the Great American Songbook”... when they perform the works of Porter, Ellington or Berlin, they create something lovely to listen to.”

"Brazilian Romance "
The Bossa Nova Phenomenon

The world discovered Bossa Nova in 1963 with the huge success of the master composer Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Girl from Ipanema"; simultaneously inspiring American Jazz and popular music with this "new wave". A collective smile spreads across faces when Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 is mentioned and the first notes of "One Note Samba" are heard. Sonny & Perley together with guest musicians including Brazilian guitarist Jason Ennis and/or world percussionist Brian Melick capture the essence of the sultry romance and mesmerizing rhythm of Bossa Nova. Perley effectively draws the audience in with a fascinating narration and both English and Portuguese interpretations of lyrics. Hugely entertaining, enthusiastically received, educational and uplifting!

The Post Star review says “To their Brazilian and American fans alike, Sonny & Perley have a style that is as irresistible and authentic as the Ipanema girl herself.”

"From Paris to Rio"
Music of French origin pre 1960 to Brasilian Music post 1960

This concert transports the listener to France pre 1960 and to Brazil post 1960 and highlights the music of Edith Piaf and other French artists prior to the making of the film “Black Orpheus”, and the Brasilian music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and other Brazilian composers that was subsequently brought to the United States in the 1960's after the making of the film. It includes musical gems such as “ La Vie en Rose”, “C’est si Bon”, “ The Girl from Ipanema”, “Manha De Carnival” (Black Orpheus)
and many others.

"I'll Take Romance"
Songs of love, romance and heartache

The most popular subject of all time! Love, in all it's sometimes frustrating, mystifying, but always enchanting variations, as seen through the eyes of world renowned composers including Richard Rogers, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Edith Piaf, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Charming, witty and humorous, this performance features songs such as "As Time Goes By", "Isn't It Romantic", "La Vie En Rose", "Desafinado", and a delightful duet between Sonny & Perley!

Chronogram Magazine says Sonny and Perley are "Harbingers of aesthetic jazz and romanticism"

"Fascinatin Rhythms"
The Music of George and Ira Gershwin

This Live performance of concert vocalist Perley Rousseau, pianist Sonny Daye along with a guest bassist highlights the music of great American composers George and Ira Gershwin. Audiences are enthralled by the stories behind the songs and drawn in by Perley's sincere emotive deliverance of the lyrics and Sonny's elegant reverence for the music. Selections including: Fascinating Rhythm, I’ve Got a Crush on You, They Can’t Take That Away from Me, Our Love is Here to Stay, Summertime,
I Love You Porgy, etc.

"Peaceful Inspirations "
Music of Gentle Rhythms

Jazz for the quiet times. Swinging, swaying, peaceful jazz that creates a soulful relaxing mood and a wonderful listening experience for anyone.
Sonny & Perley along with their musician friends play soothing melodies that just melt the tension away. Instrumentation including piano, world percussion, and woodwinds, coordinates a balance that uplifts the spirit, enfolds and celebrates the life force, laying like a feather on ones consciousness. Soothing bossa novas, timeless ballads, and at times conveying without words, the pure sound of color and light embodied in the human voice, bring a completely satisfying and uplifting experience to all the senses.

"April In Paris"
Springtime and Romance

Great American Songbook Standards and International love songs performed with the heartbeat of aesthetic Jazz. This concert is lovely with added upright bass, and really swings with drums and woodwinds.The music of Cole Porter, Johnny Mandel, Jerome Kern, Edith Piaf and notable others are presented with arrangements as refreshing as springtime itself. Premiered at the world renown cabaret room "The Duplex" in NYC resulting in a standing ovation and calls for encore! Includes songs I Love Paris, Night and Day, A Time for Love, All The Things You Are, If I Were A Bell, and a fabulous new arrangement of April In Paris!