Forrest Perrin

Forrest Perrin (1917-2005) was a pianist and orchestra leader who for decades provided the soundtrack for society and fashion events in New York City.   He performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Gracie Mansion, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and provided the music for motion picture premieres, Broadway show openings, and hundreds of theatrical galas, fashion spectaculars, and social events.  Society columnist Liz Smith called him “the bandleader of my dreams.”

Forrest accompanied Frank Sinatra, Ginger Rogers, Liza Minnelli, Rudy Vallee, Dolores Gray, Jane Withers, Mabel Mercer, and Barbara Walters and performed in stage tributes to Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Martha Graham, and Governor Mario Cuomo.  Forrest was the Musical Director for the Night of 100 Stars party at Radio City Music Hall; the First New York Festival of the Arts’ A Cabaret for Cole and the annual Cabaret Convention, both at Town Hall; the star-studded 100th anniversary of San Diego’s landmark Hotel Del Coronado; the 125th anniversary of A&P, the 150th anniversary of Tiffany’s; Random House’s 75th; Helen Hayes’ 90th; Playbill’s 100th; and Cole Porter’s 100th.

Forrest was featured, along with a host of stars, at some of the most memorable evenings in New York social history:  An American Cabaret at the Whitney Museum; annual galas at the Frick Museum, the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Opera, the Archives of American Art, the American Craft Museum, and Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center; and charity benefits for the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, Literacy Volunteers, and Lenox Hill Hospital.

Forrest  played at milestone galas for The New Yorker and New York magazines, and at publication parties introducing Lauren Bacall’s BY MYSELF; David Brinkley’s WASHINGTON GOES TO WAR; John le Carre’s THE RUSSIA HOUSE; Brooke Astor’s THE LAST BLOSSOM ON THE PLUM TREE; Ted Sennett’s HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS; Louis Botto’s AT THIS THEATRE; Howard Dietz’s DANCING IN THE DARK; Toni Morrison’s BELOVED; and Robert A. Caro’s MEANS OF ASCENT.  Forrest  played for both the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Radio City Musical Hall gala celebrating the premiere of the television series based on their lives. Other television appearances include on the programs 60 Minutes and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

As a two piano team, Forrest and his sister, Margaret, were hosts of the ABC radio program "Piano Playhouse" which was heard on 600 radio stations around the world and won a Peabody award in 1952.