soulful
rich
warm
Perpie’s music has been described as ‘soulful’, ‘rich’, ’exploring beautiful sound and drawing refreshing emotions through simple melody. Committed to growing and taking her listeners on a reverberating musical adventure, she has performed across Nigeria, in London, Beijing and Canada.
Her warmth, charming tone and lyrical expression on the saxophone helps her audience connect on a deep and personal level.
Her Journey
Raised in Nigeria by a single mother through severe and extended financial struggle and harsh realities, her best childhood memories are of family, of community and of music; this connection drives her compositions and her love for live music. Now based in Canada, she continues to expressively weave pieces of her life’s experiences and dreams into that same open treasure box - music
As a solo artist, Perpie released her debut songwriting project, ‘Meditation’, a 5-track EP in 2018. In the summers of 2016 and 2017, she toured as the official saxophonist with TerraKulture for extended productions of ‘Saro’ the Musical and ‘Wakaa’ the Musical in London. Her recent appearances include the Alberta Culture Days at the Grand, TD JazzYYC Summer Festival, ArtXpeditions by Arts Commons and the Woezo Africa Cultural Festival.
To close her Newcomer Artist Residency with the Calgary Public Library, Perpie presented a sold out concert in September, 2021. She was also one of the 2021 Banff Musicians-in-Residence.
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Calgary, 2023 - Downstage Festival
Calgary 2023 - Ethnik Festivals
Calgary 2023 - International Women’s Day
Banff 2022, Tastevin
Calgary, 2022 - Grandstand Show, Calgary Stampede
Calgary 2022- Ije Live at Studio Bell
Lac La Biche, 2022 - Lieutenant governor of Alberta Distinguished Awards Gala
Edmonton 2022 - Polykar Plant Launch
Calgary 2021 - Canadian Jazz Festival Headline artist
Calgary 2021 - National Music Centre's Bell Live Series at The King Eddy
Calgary 2021, TD Summer Jazz Fest
Lagos, 2018 – Arts and Culture Friends of Canada Reception
Lagos, 2018 – Meditation Album Live Concert
Lagos, 2017- MUSON Festival
Abuja, 2017 – MTN Project Launch – Transcorp Hilton Hotel
Lagos, 2017 – Steinway Piano Jazz Evening
London, 2016 & 2017 – Saro & Wakaa the Musicals – Shaw Theatre
Abuja, 2016 – Capital Jazz Festival
Lagos, 2015 – Queen Elizabeth’s 89th Birthday at the British High Commission
Lagos, 2015 – Taruwa Festival
Lagos, 2015 – Shell Nigeria Christmas Gala
Lagos, 2014 – GTB Orange Ribbon Executive Dinner
Lagos, 2011 – Appreciation Dinner for the Japanese Consulate
Beijing, 2010 – International Society for Music Education, ISME Conference
VIDEOS
Subscribe to Perpie’s Youtube channel for more!
Bio
“My artistic expression is hugely influenced by my growing discovery of my heritage - the rich history of the African people, the power of community, the impact of poverty and pain as well as the cuts essence of faith and grace - all of which reflect my life’s journey”. Says Perpie.
Nigerian-Canadian musician - Perpie blends classical and African contemporary art music with a touch of jazz, soul and storytelling. Nominee in three categories for the 2023 YYC Music awards and winner of the YYC Music Award for Jazz Recording of the Year.
Recipient of Queen ElizabethII's Jubilee Medal (2023), Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Award (2022) and New Canadian Artist Award (2021).
Born and raised in Nigeria, her early exposure to Afrobeat music by Fela Kuti and country music by ‘Don Williams’ and 'Dolly Parton’, and West African folk and traditional musical practices, sowed the see for her sound today.
She is often commended for her rich and lyrical tone by her listeners.
Headline artist for the Canadian Jazz Festival (2021), Ethnik Festival (2023) and her self-produced; producer and headline artist for the sold out « Ije Live » Concert with Orchestra at the studio Bell performance hall in 2022. Her music has been described as « uplifting and a bouquet of everything good, radiating beautiful human emotions » as captured in written feedback from her audience and presenters.
Her music explores themes of grace, community, love and hope.
A recent immigrant from Nigeria, Perpetual has worked in the arts/non-profit sector for about a decade now. She held a key and broad management portfolio as the Manager for Membership, Artistes, Programmes & Events - presenting the annual season concerts of the Musical Society of Nigeria (a.k.a MUSON Centre - home of the MUSON Symphony Orchestra & Chorus) Since moving to Canada, she has worked with thé Steinway Piano Gallery in Calgary and now works as a Grant Specialist with the Calgary Arts Development.
She holds a BA in Music and the Rozsa Arts Management certificate offered in partnership with Haskayne School of Business.
When she takes off her arts manager hat, she is an artist. Recent outstanding appearances include the self-produced Ije Live Concert accompanied by the Calgary Jazz Orchestra and her performance at the Canadian Jazz and JazzYYC Festival.
She received the YYC Music Awards for Jazz recording of the Year for the lead track from her Debut Album (Ije-Awele, 2023)
She also received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee Medal (2023).