Bob Perna & Persistance

Bob Perna Sr.

Bob Perna was born in Chicago, Illinois. His Parents, Antonio & Evelyn were Italian Immigrants and raised a family of 13 children. Bob was a Twin.

Bob was introduced to the trumpet, by his Father, Antonio Perna. Antonio was a Professor of Music, who played all the reed instruments, but mainly focused on the Soprano Saxophone. Antonio was Bob’s first teacher, he monitored him during daily practice and watched him grow musically.

On the CD “ Once Again” Bob pays tribute to his Mother & Father with the song appropriately titled “ A Tribute to Antonio”. Antonio wrote the first part of the tune for his daughter Annette, originally titled “ Annette’s Waltz”

Coming from a musical family, Bob Perna frequently listened to The Big Bands. Harry James and the Jazz Great Clifford Brown were two of Bob’s favorites. Ralph Marteri, a well known trumpet player heard Bob play and immediately took a liking to him. Ralph, not only became a Mentor and Tutor for Bob, he became a great friend.

At the age of 16, Bob often hopped on the bus and took a ride to the South Side of Chicago. It was there that he heard some of the greatest jazz players in the city. Guys like, Gene ( Jug ) Ammons, Al Duncan, Jimmy McGriff all took a liking to Bob and often asked him to sit in and play with them. Bob was thrilled to have this opportunity and after spending many sessions with them he was branded with the nickname, “Honey Horn”.

This experience is what motivated Bob to start his own band. It turned out to be an arduous journey for Bob, finding out that not everyone played like the guys who influenced him. But, after years he succeeded, he found his players and he made his band. The band members said he was the most “ Persistent” person they ever met, so The Bob Perna Band formed and it was ironically named, Bob Perna and Persistance.

Over the years, Bob Perna and Persistance has enjoyed successful engagements all over the country, here are a few: Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe and Reno, The Kings Inn in the Bahamas and The Eden Roc Hotel in Miami.

Along with these venues he also shared billings with major acts such as: The Fifth Dimension, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Xavier Cougat, Stan Kenton, Count Basie and Comedians Redd Foxx, Guy Marks, Alan King and Pat Cooper.

One of Bob’s most memorable moments is when he played a private victory celebration party for Michael Jordan and The Chicago Bulls Organization. Bob still currently plays for The Chicago Bulls, The Band performs before certain games in the Main Concourse at The United Center.

He are a few Testimonials from some of the late great icons in the Music Industry:

Stan Kenton once said “ Bob Perna has a lot to say in the world of music…..It has been a long time since anyone has delighted me as much as Perna, his trumpet and his band !

John Hammond also said “ Bob Perna & Persistance has a unique sound unlike anything in the business !

Currently Bob Perna is still playing music that Stan Kenton and John Hammond once heard and he will continue on. The passion only gets stronger…..

His greatest gift has been his passion, and he provides a great message for all young students who take the chance to do what they love………