CHARLI PERSIP (1929 – 2020)
One day in the Spring of 2015, drummer-with-a heart-of-gold and dear friend and colleague Matt Wilson proposed we honor the great drummer Charli Persip at the upcoming 20th anniversary of Litchfield Jazz Festival. Matt pointed out that so many salutes and tributes happened after people were gone. “Made no sense,” he said. “We should salute people while they are still here to enjoy it!”
So, on August 9th on a fine summer day on a fairgrounds in Goshen, CT, Matt led A Drum Extravaganza Salute to the Great Charli Persip with himself, George Schuller, Robin Baytas and Cory Cox on drums and a horn section led by trumpeter Dave Ballou. Charli himself jumped up on stage to join the band near the end of the set and receive a beautiful presentation piece courtesy of Zildjian whose cymbals Charli endorsed. He was 86 at the time and still played like a 20-year-old.
Charli was a drummer for the ages and one of the most in demand sidemen ever. His career break came when he was just 24 and touring with Dizzy Gillespie. He later joined the bands of Harry Sweets Edison, Harry James, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and so many others. The list of greats with whom he performed and recorded is too long to print here, but take a visit to Wikipedia and check out the music Charli Persip left for us all to enjoy.
Charli remained active in music education into his old age. He joined us at Litchfield Jazz Camp in 2009 when he was 70 to share his knowledge and talent with our students. He was Associate Professor at the New School and music instructor for Jazzmobile and had a booming private practice as well. He did drum clinics and lecture demonstrations at venues like Howard University, UMASS, Ohio State and North Texas State University.
But lets pick up our story where we left off. In September, on the heels of his triumphant appearance at Litchfield, Charli was set to begin his fall teaching schedule at New School when a colleague sidled up and inquired, “So, Charli, how was your summer?” Charli, doing his best imitation of Christopher Robin’s downbeat pal Eeyore, responded, “It SUCKED! … Except, he added, for one day, when I was saluted at Litchfield Jazz Festival.”
There it was! Matt Wilson was right! Charli lived to enjoy his tribute, and he LOVED it, as did we all.
Rest in glory, Charli, and make a joyful noise. We’ll be listening for it.
2015 Litchfield Jazz Festival Photos by Lindsey Victoria Photography