From the nature island of the Caribbean, Ras Perez
became involved in music at a very early age. Influenced mainly by
what was being played over the radio at that time, it soon became
clear that music was a universal language that he had to also learn.
He started out by playing melodica together with his elder sister
singing, and younger brother beating away at anything to have as "drums".
They soon were able to play almost everything that was heard over
the radio, which was at the time coming all the way from Trinidad.
Throughout his teens, "Perri" caught the eyes of the local
bandsmen and was invited to join the "Ebonites" band from
Grand
Bay. It was ranked as one of the top outfits coming out
of Dominica at that time. They had a reputation for discipline, and
were known to be able to read and write music, and not just "play
by ear". Starting out on bass, he then moved to learn keyboards
to replace an outgoing member. From then on it was a smooth transition
to guitar and other instruments.
The name " Perez" was given because of
his love for Latin music especially that of the maestro Perez Prado.
Years later, together with his brother and friends, the group "Black
Machine" was founded and recorded albums in Guadeloupe and Martinique
respectively. After years of touring and recording in Dominica, Saint
Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique, they disbanded but the drive to
continue was always present. In 1988 after much thought, Ras decided
to take a trip outside the Caribbean, and went to visit a friend in
Salt Lake City.Some seeds of reggae were sown in that region, resulting
in the formation of RAW (Reggae Ambassadors WorldWide) by then local
reggae radio host Papa Pilgrim.
After a year and a half it was time to move, and
some time was spent with some friends gigging in and around Boston
and New York, before making the trip back to the Caribbean and then
to Europe. Ras Perez arrived in Paris in '89 and found reggae to be
in a ripe and ready stage of development. Five years was spent in
the city of light recording and touring with the top DJs and local
roots ensembles.
In '93 Ras Perez took a trip to Berlin and has been
there ever since. From here he formed "The Reggae Ambassadubs"
and released his first solo CD, "Over The Hills" in 1996.
He has since then released a few solo projects. The band keeps on
growing from strength to strength with the addition of a horn section.