ARTIST BIO
Educator, songwriter and musician, Ivan Perez is one of the most Prolific interpreters of the Cuatro ( the Puerto Rican ten string guitar) in New York City. Born In Moca Puerto Rico, Ivan is the seventh of ten children in a family that migrated to New York in 1968. As a child in Puerto Rico, Perez had begun to develop an interest in the folkcloric music of the island through his participation in the family gatherings that always included guitars, cuatros, guiros and trovadores who would sing Seis, and Decima, the stylized musical form that requires a keen sense of improvisation, a poet's heart and a jesters's wit. Young Ivan would follow his uncles and family friends to the holiday fiestas where these forms were always present. At the age of 12, while attending junior high school in Brooklyn, Ivan began studying the guitar and a year later he initiated his studies of the Cuatro. While in high school, he became a member of Los Alegres Mocanos. Ivan Then Started his own group "Los Admirables", an aggregation that was known for its authentic representation of the folkloric music of Puerto Rico, as well as for its treatment of the romantic trio styled Boleros of the days. He recorded a number of songs with his group on the Seeco label as Los Admirables gained popularity on the Puerto Rican trio circuitry as well as other danceable Puerto Rican music. They played many festivals of the day , often accompanying artists of the stature of Jose "El Gago Jose Ortiz, Boby Capo, Yomo Toro, Vitin Avilez and others. They have shared stage with " La india, "Conjunto Imagen", "Plena Libre" "Nclabe","Larry Harlow", "Hector Tricoche", "Los Pleneros de la 21", among others. Los Admirables have played mayor events such as The innaguation for Brooklyn BoroughPresident, Assemblymen,city council members, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Prospect Park Boricua Festival, Parranda Navideña on float, Brooklyn Waterfront Festival. Perez has recorded with El Ministerio "Cristo Te Ama From St. Agatha's RC Church,followed by other recordings that he Produced and Co-Produced which include Uno Dos Tres Con La Musica En Los Pies (a children's recordings), Las Puertas Estan Abiertas (christian recording), Homenaje a Las Torres Jemelas con Luis Rivera "El Gallito de Naguabo", El Lechon Pasmao (motivo navineño) Con Luis Rivera. Throughout this time, Perez was concluding his studies at Brooklyn College where he received his Bachellor's degree in elementary education with a minor in Puerto Rican Studies.. He immediately began teaching in the New York city public school system as a bilingual teacher. Soon after, he acquired his Master's Degree in Bilingual Education. Perez proved a very innovative and capable educator. Ivan Then became the Music teacher of P.S 1 where he had been teaching for many years. Outside of the classroom, Perez has become very involved politically and culturally in his community of Sunset Park where he has performed with Los Admirables in many events such as concerts, Fiestas de los Tres Reyes Magos, Street Fairs, Festivals, Parades etc.. He has been fomenting the Puerto Rican Culture for decades; the culture from his terruñito which he misses so much. As a result of his rekindling, Ivan has written eight original tunes of romantic and patriotic nature, most of which are dedicated to his beloved Island of Puerto Rico. Along with a patriotic tune composed by Chuho Navarro, 'Lejos de Borinquen" Perez decides to turn these compositions into a musical vision, a recording that he has converted into a work of art. "Puerto Rico, Patria y Romance" by Ivan Perez y su conjunto Los Admirables is the title of this recent recording which is produced by Perez and co-produced by Manny Mieles. Puerto Rico- Patria y Romance is a jewel of excellence with innovative arrangements, lyrics and interpretation. A must for a collectionist, folklorist, music lover or anyone who is deeply in love with the person of their life or their country-Puerto Rico. Sit back and relax while Patria y Romance Takes you on a journey through the Island starting with the Cuatro, flute and guitar while blending the rhythms of the plena, seis, danza and salsa.
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