Si was born July 25, 1937, in St. Louis, MO. At the age of seven he started classical piano lessons (1944-51), and then studied keyboard harmony (jazz) with Hall Overton 1957-58.

Since the early 1960’s he has been a performing pianist (jazz and related styles of music) on the Bay Area Jazz scene, beginning with two years as house pianist at the legendary Bop City. Through the years he has been a leader of combos featuring many of the finest local musicians (Paul Breslin, Frank Passantino, Puzz Firth, Vince Lateano, Tony Johnson, Steve Mitchell, George Marsh, Mel Martin, Gerry Gilmore, Al Molino, Noel Jewkes) as well as sideman in groups including national stars of Jazz music (Art Pepper, Buddy Collette, Pepper Adams, Frank Rehak, Julien Priester, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison).

Throughout his performing years he has taught his course in Jazz Piano Theory and Technique to private students. He has, also, instructed the Jazz Theory class at Family Light Music School (1974-77) and the Jazz Piano class at Sonoma State University (1983-87).

In 1995 he published Si’s Tunes, containing all of his original compositions up to that time.

Recordings include the following:
LPs

Evil Eyes with the Mike Vax Big Band 1973 (with Art Pepper)
Live with the Mike Vax Big Band 1974
Poet’s Journey Si Perkoff Trio 1979
Cassettes
Mellow Love King Perkoff Band 1988
King Perkoff Live King Perkoff Band 1989
King Perkoff Live Part II King Perkoff Band 1990
One Whole Step Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble 1990
Live At Yoshi’s Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble 1991
Live at the Claremont with the Rex Allen Swing Express 1991
Jazz Mix Si Perkoff (combos and solo) 1992
Headin’ South with the Mike Vax Great American Jazz Band 1992
Live at UOP with the Mike Vax Great American Jazz Band 1993

CDs

Sax Serenade with the King Perkoff Band 1995
Let’s Stay Together with the King Perkoff Band 1998
Big Band Bash with the Chicago Six 1998
Fun Jazz with Mal Sharpe’s Big Money In Jazz Band 1999
Alternate Route with the New Oakland Jazz Orchestra 1999
Jazz At Home Solo Piano by Si Perkoff 1999
21rst Century Unlimited with the Chicago Six 2000
Off The Ground with the Max Perkoff Quartet 2000
Hear Again! The re-release of Poet’s Journey and Jazz Mix 2001
Si Sings! With the Si Perkoff Trio 2002
BIGBANDJAZZ.NET with the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra 2002
Wanda Stafford Duo with Wanda Stafford 2002
Tin Roof Blues with Mal Sharpe’s Big Money In Jazz Band 2002
Crystal Creampuff The ’70s Music Of Jane Perkoff 2002

Si currently plays many festivals with a group based in Southern California called The Chicago Six. It is a Swing combo with a broad stylistic spread, from light Dixieland through pre-Bop. He also does festivals, as well as local gigs, with the Pat Yankee Gentlemen Of Jazz and Mal Sharpe's Big Money In Jazz Band, both traditional Dixieland groups, and Mike Vax’s Great American Jazz Band, also Dixieland but with modern styles mixed in.

He is the pianist with the Mike Vax Big Band, a Modern Jazz big band, and performed with them at the 1996 Monterey Jazz Festival.

He is the pianist with and musical director of the Monk’s Music Trio, led by drummer Chuck Bernstein, devoted exclusively to the music of Thelonious Monk.

He leads his own trio, playing what Si calls ‘no holds barred’ Modern Be-bop, featuring many of his own compositions, as well as contemporary classics by the great artists of Jazz. His vocal repertoire consists mostly of standard tunes, so that is also featured in his trio performances.

Si often plays with his son’s quartet, the Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble.

Si’s style of playing is rooted in Bebop and the Blues. His influences span the history and breadth of Jazz: Jelly Roll Morton, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Louis, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Red Garland, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock. Over the years he has participated in most jazz styles, Dixieland to Contemporary, R&B to Salsa, but he states, “Bebop remains my primary mode of expression.

Some more examples of his work as a Jazz pianist in the San Francisco Bay Area:

*Leading small jazz combos at Bop City, Soulville, Sugar Hill, Gatsby’s, The Trident, Davood’s, Lascaux, Cafe Claude and Fairfax Coffee Roaster’s. These groups have featured such musicians as Mel Graves, Bob Maize, Paul Breslin, Frank Passantino, Puzz Firth, Cash Killiam, Vince Lateano, Tony Johnson, Steven Mitchell, George Marsh, Dave Rokeach, Dave Black, Harold Jones, Mel Martin, Gerry Gilmore, Al Molino, and Noel Jewkes.

*Sideman in numerous bands, at jazz clubs, hotels, and concerts. These groups featured such musicians as Art Pepper, Buddy Collette, Pepper Adams, Bishop Norman Williams, Frank Rehak, Jules Broussard, Vince Catalica, Vince Wallace, Julien Priester, Carlos Barreda, Ron Stallings, and Jim Rothermel.

*Playing jazz festivals in Eureka, Mammoth Lakes, Monterey, Palm Springs, Pismo Beach, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, San Mateo, Stockton, Three Rivers, Victorville, Lake Havasu AZ, Victoria BC, Sun Valley ID, Chicago IL, Davenport IA, Moodus CT, Reno NV, Seaside OR, St. Louis MO, and Medford OR.

*Playing with big bands led by Mike Vax, Cuz Cousineaux, Rudy Salvini, Frederico Cervantes, Don Piestrup, Dick Bright, and Rex Allen.

*Playing with blues artists T-Bone Walker, Big Mama Thornton, Nick Gravinitas, and Lisa Kindred.

*Accompanying vocalists Doug Arrington, Les Bailey, Margie Baker, Yve Evans, Fran Fosten, Robin Gregory, Ruth Keady, Barbara Lashley, Kitty Margolis, Daria Niles, Cami Thompson, Wanda Stafford and Debbie Vultura.

*Touring as the keyboardist with the musical Hair (1971).