Danilo Pérez
Jazz Studies
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Panamanian pianist Danilo Pérez, a recognized leader in the new generation of jazz musicians, has earned three Grammy nominations for his ebullient and innovative blend of jazz, Latin and world music styles. His latest recording, Motherland (Verve, 2000), was nominated for two Grammys for Best Latin Jazz Album and won Best Jazz Album for 2001 from the prestigious Boston Music Awards, which awarded him top honors, twice, for previous albums. Pérez’s earlier CDs–Danilo Pérez (1992), The Journey (1994), Panamonk (1996), Central Avenue (1998)–have also earned awards, favorable acclaim and annual Top Ten citations from DownBeat, Jazziz, Jazz Times, New York Times, Village Voice, Billboard, Los Angeles Times and the Best Artist in Performance Award from the New York Jazz Awards. Pérez has, in short, become one of the most influential pianist/composers in contemporary jazz since stepping into the spotlight during his 1989-92 tenure in Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra. Currently, in addition to touring with his Motherland Project band and his trio, Pérez is performing and recording with the Wayne Shorter Quartet and the Roy Haynes Trio, and is featured on Shorter’s 2002 Verve release, Footprints Live. Since the late 1980s, he has also had the honor of touring and/or recording with Jack DeJohnette, Steve Lacy, Charlie Haden, Michael Brecker, Jon Hendricks, Joe Lovano, Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis, Claudio Roditi, Paquito D’Rivera, John Patitucci, Tom Harrell, Arturo Sandoval, Gary Burton, and other notable jazz musicians. Pérez currently serves as Ambassador of Goodwill for UNICEF, Cultural Ambassador of his native Panama, President and Founder of the Panama Jazz Festival, and Artistic Advisor of the innovative Mellon Jazz Up Close series at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
Perez is a 2006 Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group, performing on Beyond the Sound Barrier with the Wayne Shorter Quartet. A live album recorded during the group's tours, 2002-2004, the album includes Shorter originals, the theme from the 1941 film Smilin' Through, Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song, and one track, Tinker Bell, with songwriting credited to the entire group.
Studies at Berklee College of Music. Recordings on Verve, Impulse/GRP, Enja, RCA/Novus, Messidor, Telarc.
Related links:
www.daniloperez.com