Panama's Five Centuries, Given Voice
Danilo Pérez turns five centuries of Panamanian history into a jazz suite that moves between Afro-Caribbean rhythm and chamber-like delicacy.
Panama 500 was released in 2014 and is credited to Danilo Pérez, the Panamanian pianist who has spent much of his career moving between jazz and the music of his home country. The recording was made to mark five centuries since the founding of Panama City, and the project is built around that anniversary. Pérez assembled a large group that includes Ben Street and John Patitucci on bass, Brian Blade on drums, and a rotating set of percussionists including Milagros Blades, Román Díaz, Ricaurte Villarreal, and Rogério Boccato, along with violin from Alex Hargreaves and cello from Sachi Patitucci. The strings and percussion give the record a wider palette than a standard trio or quartet date.
What you hear is a lot of rhythm. Pérez's cowbell and piano sit at the center, and the percussion section keeps the pulse moving in a way that feels closer to a Caribbean band than a typical jazz session. Blade's drumming is alert and supportive rather than showy, and the two bassists give the pieces weight without crowding the arrangements. The string writing adds a more lyrical, almost chamber-music quality in places, which some listeners will find a welcome change of texture and others may find less immediate than the rhythmic material.
Placement matters here. This is not Pérez's most famous recording, and it is not where a newcomer should start with his work. It is best approached by listeners who already know his trio playing or who are interested in how jazz musicians engage with their national musical heritage. It is a solid, ambitious project rather than a towering statement, and its strengths are in the arrangements and the rhythmic conversation among the players.
Who's playing
Ben Streetdouble bass
John Patituccielectric bass guitar
Danilo Pérezcowbell, piano
Brian Bladedrums
Milagros Bladespercussion
Román Díazpercussion
Ricaurte Villarrealpercussion
Rogério Boccatopercussion
Alex Hargreavesviolin
Sachi Patituccicello
