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.


- See more at: https://www.jazziz.com/panama-jazz-festivals-gala-concert-on-day-three-of-the-festivals-annual-extravaganza/#sthash.ySa6fiFY.dpuf

Blue Note Jazz Festival Presents: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT

Danilo Pérez/John Patitucci/Brian Blade Trio

Date: 2014-06-21
Showtime: 8:00PM

FEATURING:
Danilo Pérez, piano 
John Patitucci, bass 
Brian Blade, drums

Grammy award winner DANILO PÉREZ is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Danilo’s abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make his concerts both memorable and inspiring. Whether leading his own ensembles or touring with renowned jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Roy Haynes, Steve Lacy), Danilo is making a decidedly fresh imprint on contemporary music, guided, as always, by his love for jazz.
See more at: http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=11971#sthash.e120A0ql.dpuf

Danilo Pérez as an Artist for Peace....

The United Nations agency tasked with conserving and promoting humanity’s cultural heritage Monday announced its move to appoint renowned Panamanian pianist and jazz composer Danilo Pérez as an Artist for Peace for his efforts to promote music programmes for children living in extreme poverty in his country.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said the designation of Pérez as an Artist for Peace by the agency’s Director-General, Irina Bokova – which will take place at the agency’s headquarters in Paris on Tuesday – will be in appreciation of his work as President of the Danilo Pérez Foundation, as well as “his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.”

UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma and prestige to promote UNESCO’s message, according to the UN agency. They include Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, musician Gilberto Gil of Brazil, Portuguese actress and singer Maria de Medeiros, British singer Sarah Brightman and author Frankétienne of Haiti.

Pérez has influenced contemporary music through his distinctive Pan-American jazz, UNESCO noted in a news release. In addition to his work providing outreach music programmes for children through his foundation, he directs the Berklee Global Jazz Institute at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and is the Artistic Director for the Panama Jazz Festival.
From: http://www.newkerala.com/news/newsplus/worldnews-105518.html#.UKt116UlYhQ

Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Danilo Pérez

A musician has a responsibility to take listeners on a creative journey throughout their career. For many musicians, the journey travels through familiar territory consistently taking listeners back through the same type of musical surroundings. This type of musician generally connects with a good number of listeners, due to the pleasant and predictable nature of their music.

Listeners rarely get challenged though, always moving through the safe haven of expected musical directions. More daring journeys require a more in-depth musicianship, a broader artistic scope, and an unflappable sense of adventure. This type of musician holds onto their roots but experiments on a regular basis, testing just how far they can push tradition.

They hold the challenge of maintaining listeners during their twists and turns, finding ways to connect their new ideas with familiar concepts. This type of creative movement guarantees constant growth for the artist, but also means a varied and exciting listening experience.

Pianist Danilo Pérez has consistently taken listeners into unexpected artistic territory, keeping them along for the ride by the sheer virtue of his deep musicality. Born in 1965, Pérez’s father brought him into music at a young age, leading him to Panama’s National Conservatory by the age of 10. Initially studying electronics in college, a move to the States pushed Pérez back into music, and he landed at the Berklee College of Music. While attending school, Pérez performing with a wealth of well-known artists from the jazz world, including Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Hendricks, Terence Blanchard, and Claudio Roditi.

Soon after graduation, Pérez earned the piano chair in Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation’s Orchestra, bringing him into high profile concerts around the world and the concert recording, Live at the Royal Festival Hall. Following his engagement with Gillespie, Pérez continued playing with some of the jazz world’s top musicians, performing on several recordings such as Reunion from Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, Slow Fire from Claudio Roditi, New Arrival From Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround, Passages from Tom Harrell, and more. Pérez stepped into the role of a bandleader in the early nineties, first with the self-titled Danilo Pérez and then in 1993 with The Journey.
Complete on  >>  http://www.chipboaz.com/blog/2010/07/27/weekly-latin-jazz-video-fix-danilo-perez/

Danilo Pérez Trio Performing “Think Of One” - Part 1 (Danilo Pérez Trading Piano Solos With Papo Lucca)