NPR Music Features "Danilo Pérez: A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama"

“In the greater jazz world, Danilo Pérez is a respected pianist. In his homeland of Panama, he’s a national icon and cultural ambassador, and not just for his artistry. Ever since he returned to perform in his war-torn homeland in the 1980s, he’s seen the potential for jazz to be a vehicle for social change, and spent much of his time offstage seeding this vision in the form of youth music education programs. The Panama Jazz Festival he founded, for instance, doesn’t just feature major international acts — it brings students from all sorts of backgrounds to share the stage, and funnels profits back to them.”

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The Panama Jazz Festival: An Ocean of Sonic Delights

The late afternoon sun was scorching and the music was just as hot when the 13th edition of the annual Panama Jazz Festival wrapped up after six days jammed with clinics, master classes, lectures, jam sessions and formal concerts featuring some of the jazz kingdom’s ranking royalty. Under the banner of Art, Education and Culture, Panamanian pianist Danilo Pérez’s yearly extravaganza once again delivered a well balanced menu of activities aimed both veteran and neophyte jazz fans as well as aspiring musicians from throughout the region who took advantage of the presence of master musicians to advance their skills.

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Danilo Receives Honorary Doctorate from University of Panama

El reconocido pianista, compositor y jazzista panameño, Danilo Pérez, recibió el título de Doctor Honoris Causa este miércoles de la mano del rector de la Universidad de Panamá, Gustavo García De Paredes.

The renowned pianist , composer and jazz Panama , Danilo Perez, received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa Wednesday hand rector of the University of Panama , Gustavo Garcia de Paredes.

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Chicago Tribune reviews Danilo Perez with McCoy Tyner and Geri Allen

If pianist McCoy Tyner hadn't played a note Friday night in Orchestra Hall, he would have deserved the multiple standing ovations he received.

A vastly influential pianist who long ago proved that the instrument could summon orchestral power, color and sweep, Tyner commands deep respect among jazz listeners. That he also famously collaborated with John Coltrane, most notably on the saxophonist's landmark album "A Love Supreme" (1965), has made Tyner a living symbol of a revolutionary period in jazz.

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Boston Globe Reviews Children of the Light, Live at Sanders Theatre

“Danilo Pérez rose from the piano midway through the performance of “Children of the Light,” presented at Sanders Theatre Friday by the Celebrity Series of Boston, to playfully introduce his trio mates John Patitucci (“the godfather of the bass”) and drummer Brian Blade. He then shifted gears and made a somber announcement.

“Sometimes you wonder why we behave that way,” he said, alluding to the week’s terrorist attacks in Paris and Mali, the latter having taken place that day. Pérez said they were dedicating the next song, Blade’s “Within Everything,” to all the victims. The piece proved to be a highlight of the performance, as it is on the trio’s album, also named, like the trio, “Children of the Light” — slow, meditative, deceptively simple, with an exquisite folky blues groove to it that calls to mind Keith Jarrett . . . and aptly elegiac.”

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Danilo Perez Receives 2015 Gloria Award

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) is proud to announce that the Grammy® award-winning Panamanian pianist, educator and social activist Danilo Pérez has been awarded the 2015 Gloria Career Achievement Award. This Award is given to individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of the Latino community, not only in Chicago and the United States but also across the Globe. Past recipients of the Gloria Award include Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría, Brazilian director Carlos Diegues, legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, the multi-award winning Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno and Mexican artist Leonardo Nierman. 

 “Glory being the pinnacle of success and splendor, the highest recognition of excellence, it is a tremendous responsibility and a huge honor to be considered for such an important award," reflects Pérez, who will be the guest of honor of the Closing Night concert of the Latino Music Festival, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary, on Sunday November 22nd at the Merle Reskin Theater, 60 E. Balbo Drive.

 The concert will feature the Chicago debut of the Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura, comprised of boys, girls, teenagers and young adults with limited access to resources, who live in the Bañado Sur community, located next to the Cateura landfill, in Asunción, Paraguay and who perform using instruments elaborated with garbage reclaimed from the landfill. The Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra of Chicago will join them in the program.

“Danilo is more than a musical genius. He is a true champion of the arts. He believes in the transformative power of the arts, and in its ability to unite people from all walks of life. He has created a new musical idiom through such compositions as ‘Suite of the Americas’ and ‘The Canal Suite.’ He has inspired a new generation of musicians and artists who are now following in his footsteps. We are proud to honor Danilo with the Gloria Award in what promises to be a truly memorable evening with these two youth-driven orchestras,” said Pepe Vargas, executive director and founder of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago.

 In addition to over three decades of contributions to jazz and contemporary music, Pérez’s annual Panama Jazz Festival has brought world-renowned musicians to the country for the last 12 years, not only to perform but also to work closely with local youth. The mission of the festival is carried on throughout the year by the Fundación Danilo Pérez, which offers musical and cultural education to disadvantaged young people in Panama City. In Boston, Pérez currently serves as Artistic Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, which offers students an opportunity to explore creativity and advance the social power of music through the restoration of ecology and humanity.

Pérez released the critically acclaimed record Children of the Light with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade (Mack Avenue Records) on September 18th, 2015. Starting in October, Pérez, Patitucci and Blade will be touring in support of the new album through Europe and North America.

 Directed by Favio Chavez, The Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura’s repertoire includes classical music, folk music, Paraguayan and Latin American music, works by the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, film sound scores and symphonic heavy metal. The Orchestra instruments resemble violins, violas, cellos, double bass, guitars, flutes, saxophones, trumpets and percussion instruments. They are the subject of a documentary called The Landfilharmonic, which is currently making the rounds of film festivals worldwide.

Founded by Egyptian violinist Mina Zikri in 2005, the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra fills an artistic need for young adult musicians to be fulfilled and employed. Zikri recognized a dichotomy in symphonic music. As many nations advanced from Third World status, parents in those countries began giving their children music lessons, sending the most promising to elite conservatories. Added to the young talent still coming from Europe and the United States, more world-class musicians are probably alive today than in all of human history. At the same time, the number of jobs for skilled musicians has remained the same or declined. The orchestra collaborates with well-known featured soloists from both the world of symphonic music and other musical genres such as folk, jazz and pop.



Examiner Reviews Children of the Light

“Pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade don’t even make a pretense of melody in this new album, Children Of The Light.

Together, these outstanding jazz musicians provide a glimmer of intuitive brilliance in their homage to mentor Wayne Shorter.

Out since September 18, 2015 on Mack Avenue Records, this acoustic jazz trio album is as much an homage to their mentor jazz sax legend Wayne Shorter, as it is what they can bring to the studio.

Together, they’ve played beautifully original music with the Wayne Shorter Quartet for many years. Separately, the award-winning, highly influential movers and shakers of today’s jazz have carved out their own music as legends do.”

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The Jazz Breakfast Reviews Children Of The Light

"What these three musicians have learnt down the years is a way of sounding much bigger than just three. The way they structure the music, the way their instruments intertwine, gives the impression of a much bigger group. Pérez, in particular, has always used expansive harmony that suggests far more than he is actually playing, and Patitucci and Blade are just as wide-reaching in their own ways...

There are manifold joys to be had in the music here recorded, but the overall joy is a similar one we get from the Shorter Quartet – that ability to blend structure and freedom that results in musical flight. It might be achieved by detailed, virtuosic musical intelligence mixed with complex emotional understanding but it results in a simple and immediately communicated feeling of soaring way up there among the clouds."

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Guardian (UK), "Perez, Patitucci and Blade: Children of the Light review – effortlessly hip"

Some of this music was previewed during the London visit of sax giant Wayne Shorter’s regular partners Danilo Pérez (piano), John Patitucci (bass) and Brian Blade (drums) as a trio last year, and the album likewise emphasises the immense jazz experience and the effortless hipness with which they deploy it all.

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ZEALnyc Features Children of the Light, Live at Jazz Standard

“In a fall season where a plethora of trios have overwhelmed the jazz scene in New York, this free-flying trio stands to trump them all: pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Pattitucci and drummer Brian Blade—best known for their brilliance backing jazz legend Wayne Shorter in his quartet. Seeing the three launching into Shorter’s universe seems to be enough, but in their first outing as a trio, they are surprisingly just as brilliant in their own way as shown on their first album, Children of the Light on Mack Avenue Records.”

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Distritojazz Reviews Children of the Light

“De la misma manera que hay caza mayor y caza menor, también hay tríos de jazz mayores y menores. El formado por el pianista panameño Danilo Pérez, el contrabajista John Patitucci y el baterista Brian Blade, piezas capitales del legendario cuarteto de Wayne Shorter, es uno de los mayores y su primer disco ‘Children of the light’ así lo pone de manifiesto.

El jazz que presente esta trío es de ese serio, recio, introspectivo, profundo, un jazz que no está al alcance de todos los aficionados, pero que si te atrapa asistes a una música que no quiere ser superficial ni gustar a la primera audición. Este es jazz, música, que el oyente tiene que trabajársela.”

“In the same way that there are big and small game hunting, also there trio of major and minor jazz. The formed by the Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade, Capital pieces of the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet is one of the largest and first album ‘Children of the light’ and is evidenced.

The jazz trio present this is that serious, strong, introspective, deep, a jazz that is not available to all the fans, but if you get caught attend a music that does not like to be superficial and the first hearing. This is jazz, music, the listener has to work.”

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Outune Reviews Children of the Light, Live in Bologna

“I “discepoli della luce” illuminano con la loro grande musica un’altra bella serata di Bologna Jazz Festival. Unipol Auditorium gremito, venerdì 30 ottobre 2015, per Children of the Light, trio formato da maestri del rispettivo strumento (Danilo Perez, pianoforte; John Patitucci, basso e contrabbasso; Brian Blade, batteria) che per anni hanno fatto parte dello straordinario quartetto di un musicista di enorme inventiva sonora come Wayne Shorter. Da qualche tempo, i tre hanno deciso di fare ditta in proprio, con risultati eccellenti. Insieme, reinventano la classica formula del piano trio, creando un caleidoscopio raffinatissimo all’insegna delle continue sorprese ad ogni angolo di un triangolo perfetto, vera delizia per l’ascoltatore.”

“The “disciples of light” illuminate with their great music, another nice evening of Bologna Jazz Festival. Unipol crowded Auditorium, Friday, October 30, 2015, to Children of the Light, the trio of masters of their instruments (Danilo Perez, piano, John Patitucci, bass and double bass, Brian Blade, drums) who for years have been part of the extraordinary quartet a musician of enormous inventive sound like Wayne Shorter. For some time, the three decided to do business on their own, with excellent results. Together, they reinvent the classic formula of the piano trio, creating a kaleidoscope refined banner of continuous surprises at every corner of a perfect triangle, a true delight for the listener.”

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OffBeat Magazine Features Children of the Light

“Each musician contributes original material to the project that moves from pure brightness as illustrated on Perez’s opening, title cut to the filtered, shadowy glow of Patitucci’s “Moonlight on Congo Square.” There is a musical and thematic continuum throughout the disc that offers the wonderment of exploration and the delight of discovery—similar to child-like revelations. In their own ways, each of these exceptional musicians approaches the music with a light, though never hesitant touch. It’s a matter of excellence sharing space with humility.”

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Jazz Society of Oregon Reviews Children of the Light

“This trio of veteran players has spent over a decade as the backbone of Wayne Shorter’s acclaimed quartet, blending freewheeling improvisation with dense grooves. It’s a bit of a surprise that they haven’t released a trio album before, as each player is a prolific composer and bandleader outside of the Shorter quartet. Fortunately, this album is worth the wait. It’s far more than Shorter sans Shorter; rather, pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade blend their own distinct sensibilities to craft a truly collaborative and enjoyable experience.”

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RONDO Magazine Reviews Children of the Light

“Der Albumtitel ist treffend suggestiv, dabei stellt er eigentlich den von den Musikern gewählten Namen der Band dar; doch als solcher ist er eher unkompatibel für das angemessene Marketing. Schließlich handelt es sich bei dem Pianisten und Keyboarder Danilo Pérez, dem Kontra- und E-Bassisten John Patitucci und dem Schlagzeuger Brian Blade um Spitzenmusiker auf ihren Instrumenten und zugleich um das schlafwandlerisch aufeinander eingespielte Rhythmusteam der 82-jährigenSaxofonlegende Wayne Shorter, des Jazzgurus aus dem Geiste der offenen Miles-Davis-Tradition. In Konzerten seiner drei Jünger war bereits zu erleben, wie sie die Theorie von „zero gravity“ des Meisters, also des Fallen-Lassens in den Augenblick, in hoch konzentrierten Interaktionen fesselnd umsetzen: Spontan ergaben sich da zirkuläre motivische Entwicklungen von ungeheuer feinsinnigen Strukturen und faszinierender rhythmischer Differenziertheit.”

“The album title is aptly suggestive , but he actually represents the selected by the musicians of the band name ; but as such it is more appropriate for the unkompatibel Marketing . After all, with the pianist and keyboardist Danilo Pérez , the double and electric bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade to top musicians on their instruments and at the same time to the sleepwalker attuned rhythm team of 82 -year-old saxophone legend Wayne Shorter , the jazz gurus from the spirit of open Miles Davis tradition . In concerts of his three disciples had already been to see how they implement the theory of “ zero gravity “ of the Master , so the trap omission in the moment , in highly concentrated interactions captivating : Spontaneously arose because circular motivic development of immensely subtle structures and fascinating rhythmic sophistication .”

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"Children of the light deden het licht aan in Lantaren Venster"

“The Children of the light, oftewel het Danilo Perez Trio, deden muzikaal het licht aan in Lantaren Venster in Rotterdam. Een bomvolle zaal genot met volle teugen van het virtuoze spel van de heren die inmiddels al bijna groter zijn als de man wiens begeleiding zij jaren verzorgden: Wayne Shorter. Wat krijg je als je 3 absolute topmuzikanten uit de moderne jazz bij elkaar zet? Children of the light… Zelden sloten artiesten zo perfect bij elkaar aan. Vrijwel elke noot was raak en als de een besloot even rechtsaf te gaan, ging de andere net zo makkelijk mee en was het dus uitdagen en pleasen tegelijkertijd. De enorme lol die deze mannen daardoor met elkaar hadden straalde over op de zaal. Muisstil, maar buitengewoon gul met applaus en meer dan terecht. Of het nu een solo was Perez of juist weer Brian Blade op de drums, alles was even goed. Topconcert.”

“The Children of the Light, or the Danilo Perez Trio, did musically light in LantarenVenster in Rotterdam. A packed auditorium enjoying to the fullest the virtuoso playing of the men who now are almost larger than the man whose guidance they provided years: Wayne Shorter. What do you get when you have three absolute top musicians in modern jazz put together? Children of the Light…Seldom locks artists so perfectly together. Virtually every note was spot on and if one decided to go just right, the other was just as easy, and it was so challenging and pleasing simultaneously. The enormous fun that these men therefore had shared beamed across the hall. Mouse silent, but extremely generous with applause, and rightly so. Whether it is a solo or Perez was once again Brian Blade on drums, everything was equally good. Top concert.”

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Danilo Perez to Receive the 2015 Gloria Career Achievement Award

From International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago

Acclaimed Panamanian Jazz Pianist Danilo Perez to Receive the 2015 Gloria Career Achievement Award

Pérez Will be the Guest of Honor of the 10th Annual Latino Music Festival’s Closing Night Concert on November 22nd Featuring the Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura and the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra of Chicago at the Merle Reskin Theater

CHICAGO (October 19, 2015) – The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) is proud to announce that the Grammy® award-winning Panamanian pianist, educator and social activist Danilo Pérez has been awarded the 2015 Gloria Career Achievement Award. This Award is given to individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of the Latino community, not only in Chicago and the United States but also across the Globe. Past recipients of the Gloria Award include Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría, Brazilian director Carlos Diegues, legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, the multi-award winning Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno and Mexican artist Leonardo Nierman.

“Glory being the pinnacle of success and splendor, the highest recognition of excellence, it is a tremendous responsibility and a huge honor to be considered for such an important award,” reflects Pérez, who will be the guest of honor of the Closing Night concert of the Latino Music Festival, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary, on Sunday November 22nd at the Merle Reskin Theater, 60 E. Balbo Drive.

The concert will feature the Chicago debut of the Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura, comprised of boys, girls, teenagers and young adults with limited access to resources, who live in the Bañado Sur community, located next to the Cateura landfill, in Asunción, Paraguay and who perform using instruments elaborated with garbage reclaimed from the landfill. The Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra of Chicago will join them in the program.

“Danilo is more than a musical genius. He is a true champion of the arts. He believes in the transformative power of the arts, and in its ability to unite people from all walks of life. He has created a new musical idiom through such compositions as ‘Suite of the Americas’ and ‘The Canal Suite.’ He has inspired a new generation of musicians and artists who are now following in his footsteps. We are proud to honor Danilo with the Gloria Award in what promises to be a truly memorable evening with these two youth-driven orchestras,” said Pepe Vargas, executive director and founder of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago.

In addition to over three decades of contributions to jazz and contemporary music, Pérez’s annual Panama Jazz Festival has brought world-renowned musicians to the country for the last 12 years, not only to perform but also to work closely with local youth. The mission of the festival is carried on throughout the year by the Fundación Danilo Pérez, which offers musical and cultural education to disadvantaged young people in Panama City. In Boston, Pérez currently serves as Artistic Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, which offers students an opportunity to explore creativity and advance the social power of music through the restoration of ecology and humanity.

Pérez released the critically acclaimed record Children of the Light with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade (Mack Avenue Records) on September 18th, 2015. Starting in October, Pérez, Patitucci and Blade will be touring in support of the new album through Europe and North America.

Directed by Favio Chavez, The Recycled Instruments Orchestra of Cateura’s repertoire includes classical music, folk music, Paraguayan and Latin American music, works by the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, film sound scores and symphonic heavy metal. The Orchestra instruments resemble violins, violas, cellos, double bass, guitars, flutes, saxophones, trumpets and percussion instruments. They are the subject of a documentary called The Landfilharmonic, which is currently making the rounds of film festivals worldwide.

Founded by Egyptian violinist Mina Zikri in 2005, the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra fills an artistic need for young adult musicians to be fulfilled and employed. Zikri recognized a dichotomy in symphonic music. As many nations advanced from Third World status, parents in those countries began giving their children music lessons, sending the most promising to elite conservatories. Added to the young talent still coming from Europe and the United States, more world-class musicians are probably alive today than in all of human history. At the same time, the number of jobs for skilled musicians has remained the same or declined. The orchestra collaborates with well-known featured soloists from both the world of symphonic music and other musical genres such as folk, jazz and pop.

Admission for the event is: advance, $20-$30; at the door, $25-$35; ILCC members, $5 off. Advance tickets can be purchased online at recycledorchestra.eventbrite.com. 
For the full schedule of the Latino Music Festival, visit latinomusicfest.org
The Festival is presented by your local Ford dealers, Official Sponsor of the 2015 Latino Music Festival and The Joyce Foundation

ABOUT THE LATINO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Presented by the International Latino Cultural Center (ILCC), The Latino Music Festival (LMF) produces performances and promotes awareness of music from Latin America, Spain and Portugal, ranging from the Colonial period to the 21st century. The Latino Music Festival functions as a bridge, bringing Latin American classical music to audiences in Chicago. At the same time, the LMF fulfills an educational role by bringing this music to Chicago’s neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs through concerts and educational programs. In addition to a roster of internationally acclaimed artists participating annually in the Festival and its programs, the Latino Music Festival places a strong emphasis on local talent, featuring Chicago’s most prestigious orchestras, ensembles and soloists, as well as a number of talented young professionals. The LMF commissions new pieces from Latino composers and features world, US and/or Chicago premieres of works both new and historical. The Festival also has a residency program for chamber ensembles and soloists, which focuses on the dissemination of the Ibero-American repertoire.

ABOUT THE ILCC
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) is a pan-Latino, nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to developing, promoting and increasing awareness of Latino cultures among Latinos and other communities by presenting a wide variety of art forms and education including film, music, dance, visual arts, comedy and theater. The Center prides itself for its outstanding multidisciplinary local and international cultural programming which spans Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the United States.
Born out of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the ILCC also produces other programs, including the Latino Music Festival, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the Fall; Film in the Parks, also in its 10th season; the monthly Reel Film Club, already in its 6th year; and many others.

All in all, the audience has grown from 500 people in 1985 for the first Chicago Latino Film Festival to more than 70,000 (Latinos and non-Latinos), who enjoy the year-round multidisciplinary cross-cultural exchanges offered by the Center.