An early pioneer of New Orleans jazz, Manuel Perez tended to emphasize arranged ensembles and worked-out solos in his bands rather than freewheeled improvising. Active as a brass band musician by the late 1880s, Perez joined the Onward Brass Band in 1900 and was its leader from 1903 until its breakup in 1930. Perez also led the Imperial Orchestra from 1901-08 and freelanced in many brass bands and dance bands. He made two brief visits to Chicago: in 1915, when he played with trombonist George Filhe and Charlie Elgar; and in 1928, when he worked with Elgar again. It was thought at one time that the cornetist had recorded with Elgar's Creole Orchestra but unfortunately Perez (other than appearing briefly on a verbal talking record in 1944) never recorded. Perez retired from playing music in the 1930s after he suffered several strokes. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi