Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Garry Percell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Garry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In describing his vision for “Going In Circles,” Garry expresses a desire to convey a sense of nostalgia and everlasting love. He says, “My first solo project is a significant milestone in my music career. It’s a chance for me to express myself fully and showcase my unique style and creativity. It holds a special place in my heart, and it brings a lot of fulfillment full circle. So, I’m dedicating this project in memory of my daughter Chantal Percell whom passed away on December 1st, 2023—Rest Well Songstress Chantily Lace.” The song serves as a testament to the timeless bond between individuals, a melody that encapsulates the beauty of a shared moment frozen in time. Through his music, Garry hopes to create a bridge between hearts, touching the lives of his fans and listeners with each soul-stirring chord.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Garry Percell (Guitarist)

About This Artist:
Artist Summary
Genres: Smooth Jazz / Contemporary Jazz/ R&B/ Soul, Gospel /Christian /Worship/ and Other
Label: Upward Bound Music Group
Artist Bio:

Garry Percell has played guitar for over 25 years and has a solid background in electric and acoustic guitar. Garry is a respected studio and stage musician, producer, project- consultant and has toured nationally with several recording artist. His Secular background has roots in R&B, Jazz, Blues such as the likes of Grammy Award Recording Artist General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board and recently toured with Betty Davis Band “Funk house”, Todd Curry and Focus and many others that have enable Garry Percell to share his gift with. Garry has been sharing his gift in the studio with some new upcoming artist recently by the name of Melvin Griffin The album “EIGHT”, Jeremiah Jericho “Aggie In The Blood” Theme Song and “Hold On” Wil E. Coleman “One Day” The Necessity Project”, Stanley Flake “No Turning Back” and Sheika Asali “One Night Stand” just to name a few. “DON’T STOP” featuring Marcus Anderson on sax…produced by Adam Hawley catapulted Garry into the Contemporary Jazz (Smooth Jazz) market as a Billboard Charting Artist!

God has blessed Garry to share the stage with Gospel artists like Richard Smallwood, Luther Barnes, Lee Williams and the QC’s and many others in the Gospel industry. I have been playing the guitar since I was nine years old. While I was in school at Reidsville Senior High, I also help formed bands and talent shows. A few years later Robert Irving, III composer/producer and pianist at that time with The Legendary Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. Robert “Bobby” Irving helped me get a job as a studio session guitarist in Chicago, IL.
When off the road Garry can be found in his studio “Upward Bound Recording Studio” creating new music to be released by his Label “Upward Bound Music Group” including his hit single released in May of 2023 called “Reaction” featuring Jason Jackson on sax…Produced by Adam Hawley! Accompanied by some of our nation’s most well-respected musicians across America.
Garry’s Newest release is scheduled to hit the airways March 22,2024 entitled “Going in Circles” featuring Tony Terry on vocals!
You can listen to Garry Percell’s music on most stations around the world! Released by his Label “Upward Bound Music Group” So, be on the lookout for this Artist in a city near you!

And the journey continues…
Garry Percell Guitarist

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I connect to my audience. Each song has its own identity, and it has its own spirit. I go to that place where that song is, where that song was created, and I connect with the spirit that is there. One of the things that I can share with you that I believe a lot of musicians can relate to, is that a lot of times I will begin a song and mentally leave the place where I am. I go to a spiritual place while playing because I am so deep into the movement and the spirit of the song. I believe that I need to be in that place when I’m performing so that spirit would truly transcend from me through my music and in turn, my playing would connect with the audience who may be feeling that same vibe. I believe that one must go deep inside themselves and connect to that spirit and connect to those emotions that the song is breathing out. One of the techniques that I guess that I use to invoke such raw intensity in my playing is to come out of myself if you will and move into a spiritual space with what I am doing. I truly believe if I’m in that space looking at the audience, they are feeling what I’m feeling. In this way, I can draw them into the same spiritual place of where I am, and that is the beauty of music. It is just truly amazing when that happens. I look deep inside and just let go and let it all happen organically, naturally, and spiritually. It is so rewarding.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a time in my career when I was on tour and we were flying across the country from one concert to another and I heard a voice speaking to me and it said come home I have something for you to do. “It was the voice of God”. One thing is that I’m not only a musician, but I am a man of the cloth, if you will. I am a minister of the gospel, I pastor a church, and I’ve been pastoring a church for nine years now. I answered my calling many, many years ago. It is a very important part of me and a part of my journey. I often have the question asked of me about how I reconcile playing secular music while being a minister of the gospel, and the answer that I can give to that question is clear—my music is a gift that God has given me, but my ministry and my preaching of the gospel is my calling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.garrypercell.com
• Instagram: garrypercell_theartist
• Facebook: Garry Percell
• Twitter: Garry Percell Artist (@garryguitarplay)

Image Credits

Don Harris (Nikon Don) @ HardpressStudio.com