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Danilo Perez: Providencia

By John Barron
July 13, 2010
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Inspired by the wonderment and challenge of contributing to a healthy future for his two daughters, Panamanian pianist Danilo P��rez presents an eleven-track suite of globally conscious music, fusing elements of jazz, classical and Latin American folk music. Providencia, P��rez's debut for Mack Avenue Records, is an ambitious project, incorporating his longtime trio-mates, bassist

Ben Street

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Street and drummer

Adam Cruz

drums
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Cruz, with an eclectic cast of guest musicians. The result is a genre-defying foray into highly-structured compositions heightened by intense improvising.

A seamless melding of styles is evident on the lengthy opener "Daniela's Chronicles," a piece written for P��rez's eldest daughter that progresses through five buoyant movements. With a subdued undercurrent of rhythmic intensity, P��rez leads his band through the music with commanding control of the piano. Alto saxophonist

Rudresh Mahanthappa

saxophone, alto
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudresh Mahanthappa brings a flurry of energy to "Galactic Panama," tossing solo lines back and forth with P��rez over an insatiable Latin-inspired groove, augmented by percussionists Jamey Haddad and Ernesto Diaz. Mahanthappa appears toward the end of the disc on "The Maze," a duet with P��rez in two parts. Here, the saxophonist is able to balance a harsh urgency with breathy lyricism.

Portugese-born, New York-based singer

Sara Serpa

vocals
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Sara Serpa, who specializes in wordless vocalizing, brings out the melodic strength in P��rez's writing. She floats effortlessly through the challenging theme of the title track. One of the more enticing tracks on the disc, P��rez takes advantage of the tune's melodic repetition to apply a countering barrage of piano showmanship. Another enduring moment from the session comes with the tender ballad "Irremediablemente Solo," composed by Panamanian composer Avelino Mu?oz. The piece features the trio with bassist Street taking up the pensive melody with conviction.

As an organizer of the annual Panama Jazz Festival and the Fundaci��n Danilo P��rez, an organization offering musical and cultural opportunities to disadvantaged youth, P��rez has become a musical ambassador for his native country. Homage to Panama is evident throughout Providencia, especially on the two-part "Bridge of Life," orchestrated for woodwind quintet and trio. The title refers to Panama's role as a land bridge between North and South America. With this disc, P��rez succeeds at creating a musical bridge between the intricate and visceral, inviting all listeners interested in forward thinking sounds.

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Track Listing

Daniela's Chronicles; Galactic Panama; Historia De Un Amor; Bridge of Life, Part I; Providencia; Irremediablemente Solo; The Oracle; Bridge of Life, Part II; The Maze: The Beginning; Cobilla; The Maze: The End.

Personnel

Danilo P��rez

piano

Danilo Perez: piano; Ben Street: bass; Adam Cruz: drums, steel pans; Rudresh Mahanthappa: alto saxophone; Jamey Haddad: percussion; Ernesto Diaz: congas; Sara Serpa: vocals; Matt Marvuglio: flute; Barbara Laffitte: oboe; Amparo Edo Biol: French horn; Margaret Phillips: bassoon; Jose Benito Meza Torres: clarinet.

Album information

Title: Providencia | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

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