Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Fans who turn out at the Backyaad venue in St. Andrew Wednesday evening for the Jamaica/U.S.A. Comedy Connection can expect to hear a little bit of everything from Rodney Perry. The African-American comedian says his act is all about spontaniety.

"To me comedians are the real news reporters, we say what the regular guy is thinking," Perry told The Gleaner. "So, if the regular guy is thinking about politics, social issues, celebrities or even family, it's my job to speak on these subjects," he added. "You are sure to get a little taste of all these topics depending on how I feel that day."

Things are going pretty well for the Chicago-born, San Francisco-based Perry these days. His stand-up act is in demand and he has two movies in production.

Stand-up specialists

Perry is best known for his stand-up routine, but he found a new set of fans when he appeared in Johnson Family Vacation, the popular comedy that starred Cedric The Entertainer and Vanessa Williams. He played Cedric's cousin Lump.

Movies and television have been good to black comedians over the years. Redd Foxx won over millions of viewers through the sitcom Sanford and Son in the early 1970s, even though he was an established star in black circles for over 30 years. Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx and Dave Chappelle all got their start as stand-up men before making it big in Hollywood. While he likes doing movies, Perry says nothing beats cracking up an audience from the stage.

Movie experience

"I have a love/hate relationship with movies and movie-making," he said. "I love shooting movies and the creative collaboration between actors on a movie set. I hate the waiting for the movie to come out, I hate the delayed reaction to your work. That is one of the things I love about stand-up comedy. You get an immediate reaction, good or bad from every thing you say," he added.

Perry said his ultimate film role is to play soul legend James Brown. The Ja/U.S.A. Comedy Connection also features Christopher Daley, Pretty Boy Floyd, Lemon and the Cadillac Dancers. Singer Natural Black is guest artiste.