Sue’s Muse: An Interview with Perry Laylon Ojeda

Perry Ojeda is an extremely talented and brave man that I recently met down at Puerta Vallarta. His show was amazing. He has a Broadway background and was considered a “triple threat” back in the day—but he is SO much more now. At the young age of 57, he is also living with, and thriving, as he deals with his diagnosis of Parkinsons disease. I cannot wait for you to meet the inspiring and wonderful Perry Laylon Ojeda…

 

While Perry talks a bit about what Parkinson’s is, here is a brief medical description: Parkinson’s disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition, meaning it causes parts of your brain to deteriorate. It’s best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, balance problems and more. Most cases happen for unknown reasons.

We had so much to chat about that I decided to continue the inter view and do a Part 2.

If you would like to learn more about this incredible man, here is a link to his Website: https://www.perryojeda.com/

And here is a link of him singing his stunning version of Comden & Green’s “Our Private World” down at ACT2PV for the Fiesta de Cabaret as accompanied by Yaz Furuoka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7cSt7NgHfA

You will be able to see how Perry gracefully navigates the stage by keeping his hand in his pocket, reaching out to touch and steady himself when his hand starts to shake and sitting. None of that distracted from his beautiful voice and performance. We were rapt! He is truly an inspiration.

I will certainly let you know when he is back on the East Coast doing a show!

About Sue Matsuki 31 Articles
SUE MATSUKI is an award-winning singer and songwriter, producer, open mic host, educator, columnist and the author of So You Want to Sing Cabaret. She is a Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Collaboration with her Musical Director, Gregory Toroian; she is the very first recipient of the Julie Wilson Award given by the Mabel Mercer Foundation; and she is a multi-award-winning MAC Award winner (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) for Jazz Vocalist, Special Events, and Songwriter and has been nominated 11 times in 8 different categories. Matsuki is a Cabaret/Jazz singing veteran who has played every NYC Cabaret room including: Feinstein’s at the Regency, 54 Below, Town Hall, and several major Jazz Clubs including: the legendary Village Gate, Birdland, The Iridium and Sweet Rhythm. She’s even played Carnegie Hall and appeared in five seasons as a Diva Double at the Metropolitan Opera. She plays many theaters across the country and has appeared at Crazy Coqs in London. As an educator she has taught Cabaret and performance/business classes at: Mac-to-School, Cabaret Hotspot! Cabaret U, The Ridgefield Theater Barn, Peddie Town School (Town Heights, NJ), UCONN’s Osher’s Lifelong Learning Institute, the Vancouver School of Performing Arts and at Fordham University at Lincoln Center. Matsuki is the Producer of the annual Urban Stages’ Winter Rhythms series, NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singers) NMTC National Musical Theater Competition as well as many other benefits and shows. Sue’s Views has been an on-going Cabaret advice column that has appeared in Cabaret Hotline On-Line, NiteLife Exchange and Cabaret Hotspot, It now lives on her website. Sue’s Muse comes back to the NiteLife Exchange family in May. For more information please visit: www.SueMatsuki.com