Lou Perez. Photo taken July 31, 2004 in Bryant Park, NYC.
On May 27th bandleader, flutist, composer and arranger Lou Perez died from injuries sustained in
a car accident in New York City. Lou is best known for his song "De Todo un Poco", which
was used in the movie "Dirty Dancing."
Lou Perez was a multi-talented artist whose musical knowledge encompassed a variety of instruments
including piano, reeds, percussion, guitar and bass. His greatest contribution was that of being a
world class arranger and composer of many songs that have become part of the Latin American identity
both within and beyond American shores.
Born in New York City of Cuban and Puerto Rican parentage, Lou was exposed at an early age to the
rich musical culture that was fast developing into what we now know as the golden era of Cuban
Popular Music when his parents moved to Cuba.
Upon returning to the states, Lou benefited from instruction in New York City's musical
institutions. He began his professional career with the legendary Noro Morales & His Orchestra
as a percussionist, and from there, contributed to many other popular local orchestras of the day.
Lou Perez was one of the first few bandleaders to emerge in the 1960s leading a "Charanga"
whose sound had become the musical preference for New York dancers, replacing the Mambo and
Cha-Cha-Cha with the Pachanga.
Lou's composition "De Todo un Poco" was featured in the 1987 cult film classic
"Dirty Dancing", which catapulted Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Garner to worldwide box
office notoriety.
An extraordinary array of artists -- including Machito,
Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barretto,
Charlie Palmieri, Graciela, Tipica Novel, Tamara Torres, Los
Jóvenes del Barrio, and many
others -- have benefited and achieved recognition through their recordings of Lou Perez compositions.
Lou was 77 years old. He is survived by his two sons.
Special thanks to Richie Blondet for all information.
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