Perry Louis is one of the most influential figures in the British jazz dance movement, as well as a renowned dancer, choreographer, DJ and radio presenter. He is regarded as a key figure who has preserved the old-school ‘Street-Fusion’ jazz dance style from the British underground clubs of the 1970s and 1980s and brought it to the world’s attention.
His career began in the mid-1970s, when he discovered his love of dance as a regular at legendary London clubs such as Crackers, Spats and Royalty. Unlike many other DJs, Louis did not start out as a record collector, but purely as a boogie and jazz-funk dancer. His high-energy moves and deep sense of rhythm quickly established him as a fixture on the scene. He toured the world as a solo dancer, appeared on numerous TV shows and performed live alongside renowned musical greats such as the James Taylor Quartet.
To keep the urban British jazz dance culture alive, Perry Louis founded the dance collective JazzCotech Dancers. The collective specialises in the unique, high-energy UK Club Jazz style and continues to introduce both adults and children to it through workshops and international TV and festival performances.
Over the years, his passion for dance has also been reflected in his work behind the turntables. Perry Louis owns a vast collection of over 20,000 vinyl records, ranging from jazz-funk, boogie and pure funk to Latin American and Brazilian rhythms, right through to Afro-fusion.
Now, in September this year, BBE has released the first compilation featuring a total of nine classic tracks.
Perry offers a variety of formats:
2-hour vinyl DJ set in clubs and at festivals, also available for after-parties
DJ set with the JazzCothech Jazzdancers
Masterclasses