In the Spring of 2019, my friend Jen asked me to look at a property she was selling for a client. The property was a 2,500 square foot warehouse owned by Franc Peri who ran a record label there since the 1960’s. It had to be cleared out and Franc, who was in his 90s, wasn’t up for the task. I agreed to have a look and what I found would be one of the most exciting adventures of my life.
The warehouse was a time capsule, an “Only in New York story” that I felt had to be protected and preserved. I asked Franc to give me three months. The project took three years. Covid hit, Franc passed away and for so many months, cold calls went unanswered. The day to day management, organization and archiving landed on my shoulders. But I kept at it with the support and guidance from friends and colleagues.
This once in a lifetime project came to a close in May 2022 and I hope I made Franc proud. His life’s work, a catalogue of hundreds of Ballroom, Latin and Ballet titles, including sheet music, ephemera, photographs, master tapes and much more has found its way into the Library of Congress, The Queens Historical Society, The Harkness Foundation, the David Howard Estate and The Julliard School of Dance.
Special Thanks to Jessica Lipsky, Atesh Sonneborn & Alex DeLazlio.
Plans are in the works to reissue music from the catalogue featuring Latin Music Legends Tito Puente and Charlie Palmieri. Stay tuned!
