JERRY SEGAL
Bio/Press Release
Born in Los Angeles, CA, in 1936, Segal was the son of a successful American printer. At 8 years old he was attending music recitals featuring the greats including Skip James and Hal Grace. Inspired by what he saw, Segal and his father Harry began to stage their own concerts hosting artists such as Duke Ellington and Bennie Goodman. In 1953, they formed Reliable Records which was immediately bought out by Columbia records. Segal took his remaining catalog but was unable to attain his licenses due to bribery and payola. So he traveled to Arizona,Nevada and New Mexico looking to re-establish his company . After numerous attempts and mismanaged accounts Jerry returned to Los Angeles to work in his fathers company (reliable printers) but his passion was never far from his mind. During the 50’s and 60’s Jerry established enough funds to start moving acts through out various venues, but racism and social diversity slowly drained his savings and forced him to the outskirts of town. Taking advice from one of his friends Jerry began booking non-african American acts his business slowly started picking up steam as a promoter but tragedy struck again Jerry and his father were in an accident on their way to Sunland park, although Jerrys father received minor scrapes and bruises, Jerry was not so fortunate,Suffering from Head trauma when his head hit the windshield,Jerry spent the next six months of his life in a hospital bed. Bitter at how life had treated him the only joy Jerry found was when the children would sneak over from the next ward to visit him and talk about Elvis. Jerry spent the following year in rehab. Upon his release from the hospital Jerry began working with the kids in the Los Angeles school district in 1969 and began seeking a more serious education career in 1975 until 1989, He continued shopping bands through out the 70’s but the music business had changed dramatically and bands were more difficult to work with, at this time his biggest accomplishment was a band from Connecticut called Fat who he signed to Atlantic. Jerry as always, was hands on in business and education. In 1989, Jerry had lost both of his parents earlier that year, and he always loved San Diego, It had always brought him a sense of peace so leaving the city behind and fast paced world was a no brainer he moved south to pursue his education endeavors. San Diego proved to be barren at first with no friends or contacts Jerry focused on his education career . Until one day he met an nine year old by the name of Christopher Leyva, reminding him of happier days, He reignited his love for music once again through Chris’s enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Under the mentorship of Jerry Segal ,Chris Leyva began to re-establish Jerry's ties to music once again,Through out the nineties, Jerry took the back seat and mentored Chris’s many endeavors including, Chris leyva as a solo artist, than with the hex, and finally with Blizzard until 2001. In the meantime Jerry himself began to financially establish a small yet productive music organization which he called Black Cherry. Upon noticing Chris’s success with the band blizzard, Jerry approached Chris and offered him partnership together they formed Black Cherry Group and brough on board Blizzard’s at the time manager Ryan Cullum, and secretly establishing themselves within San Diego's regime with Chris taking the helm. Jerry now presides as CEO and chief consultant to The Black Cherry Group. but wishes to remain behind the scenes, and refuses interviews or public public showings.