Panama Jazz Festival

Léan Crowley Feature January 14, 2016
Puerto Rican vocal legend Danny Rivera and pianist Danilo Pérez explore the Latin American romantic balladry tradition during the Panama Jazz Festival’s gala concert at Panama City’s spacious Anayansi Theater on day three of the annual extravaganza. Photo Credit: Mark Holston

The third day of Panama’s annual jazz festival turned out to be a banner day for the event’s founder and artistic director, the noted jazz pianist and composer Danilo Pérez. The University of Panama announced that it had granted the country’s famous native son an honorary doctorate. During the evening’s showcase concert, a gala event at Panama City’s principal performing arts venue, the Anayansi Theater, he shared the stage with his saxophone-playing wife, Patricia Zárate, the festival’s executive director, and his father, the well-known veteran bolero singer Danilo Pérez Urriola.

The pianist also accompanied Puerto Rican vocalist Danny Rivera, a much revered figure throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Rivera had given Pérez the opportunity to accompany him when the fledgling pianist was only 14 years old. “I wouldn’t be here today without Danny,” he commented. Pérez also featured his lavish, rhythmically complex multi-movement composition and arrangement for large ensemble, performed by the Pan-American Detroit Big Band conducted by Chris Collins. All in a day’s work for one of the busiest musicians on the planet.


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