The late Jazz legend Chris Perry was honoured in his hometown in Margao, Goa, where a road behind the Holy Spirit Church was named after him. The Chris Perry Road was inaugurated by his friends Louiz Banks and Braz Gonsalves also Jazz legends in their own right.
Chris Perry was a Goan Musician, Composer, Songwriter and Film producer. Chris Perry was an exceptionally gifted trumpeter, but he was also at ease with blowing instruments as saxophone, trumpet and flute as well as finger instruments like keyboard, piano and guitar. He learnt to read and write music all by himself. His performance of the music composition Cherry Pink and the Apple Blossom White breathlessly on trumpet earned him the sobriquet as the Man with the Golden Trumpet. His birth name has been reported as Christovam Pereira as well as Christopher Pereira.
Chris Perry revolutionized the Konkani music scene by introducing jazz music and he is credited with taking Konkani popular music to a new level. He was responsible for discovering for Konkani music the hidden talent of Lorna and brought out the very best in her in the sweet and forceful voice of Lorna is still famous. He introduced Konkani music to singers like Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Usha Uthup. Mohammed Rafi sang Bom Jezuchea re Konventant, Maria, Combea Sadari and Noxibak Roddtam. Usha Uthup in her inimitable voice has sung Meu Amor, Tum ani Hanv. The famous tiatrist H. Britton has also sung his compositions, which are Marialina, Kazarachem Utor, Bandra Festak, Bus Conductor, Dukhrachi Chevrisam. Hema Sardesai sang Sacrament Zodlo and other songs in his album ‘Cu Cu Ru Cu’.
Chris Perry ventured into Hindi films and served the film industry for twenty-five years as assistant to Hindi film music directors. He performed in many Hindi films notably in Kabhi Kabhi and Trishul. He formed a band and they played at hotels in the major Indian cities. Chris Perry has the distinction of producing the first Konkani colour film Bhuierantlo Munis in 1978 in which singer Asha Bhonsle has rendered some songs.
His music standard is compared to that of famous musicians like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Chick Corea. Chris Perry took the traditional Goan style of music and blended it well with the Western Jazz.
His musical shows Nhovro Mhozo Denvchar, Tum ani Hanv, Lob Padricho have become successful. Some of his well-known albums are ‘Carnival in Goa’, ‘From Dubai with Love’, ‘Mhoji mai’, ‘Poilo Kiss’. At his funeral, a brass band played Chris' own composition Adeus (Goodbye).
Chris Perry did not receive the recognition due to him. His only major award was the Best Composer award in 1974.Now he has a street with his name. God bless Chris Perry.