Juan Perez has a new job.
He had played piano on the main floor at the Tacoma Mall Nordstrom store for 27 years, and he heard just over a week ago that the store was going in a more “modern” direction and would offer its customers recorded music instead.
In a story in Monday’s edition of The News Tribune, Perez said that his real ambition was to play at the upscale El Gaucho restaurant in downtown Tacoma.
El Gaucho general manager James Capangpangan asked Tuesday morning for contact information. A few hours later, Perez confirmed that he had received an offer.
He will begin a three-month trial playing between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
“We were looking at getting a new piano player next week,” Capangpangan said Tuesday afternoon. “What better timing?”
“I am very happy,” said Perez.
He has already decided on his first song.
It’s called “Cast Your Fate to the Wind.”
• EARLIER STORY: Nordstrom pianist ends 27-year run; Tacoma Mall store decides to do away with live music
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