Danilo Perez at the Bird
BY LARS BJÖRN
The
Panamanian born pianist Danilo Perez visited the Bird of Paradise
in Ann Arbor with his trio on October 20. It was my first chance to
hear this much talked-about young pianist and he was as good as his
reviews claimed. Perez presented a fresh blend of modern jazz and Latin
rhythms/melody. Several of his own songs were based on Panamanian folk
melodies, like his starter "Blues for Hussain." The combination of his
exceptional rhythmic sense, the fabulous percussion work of Antonio
Sanchez and the steady bass of Carlos Enriquez was enough to bring the
audience to its feet on the last numbers. This was one of the first
times I have seen widespread dancing at a concert at the Bird.
One of the highlights of the evening was Perez's
personal, Latinized, version of Monk's "Think of One." It climaxed with
heavy piano chords and infectious rhythms that had Perez jumping up
and down on his piano seat. Sanchez's drums stayed with the piano all
the way ended appropriately with high-fives. Perez showed his
mellow side on Ellington's "Morning Glory" and in one passage interacted
beautifully with Enriquez. On "Apunto" Perez integrated Venezuelan folk
melody with a touch of baroque in a very natural way. I came away impressed
with Perez's musical ideas and his ability to deliver a performance
that appealed to a variety of listeners.
photograph
by Lars Björn 
