Jazz Festival in Panama

By Juliette Darmon

For the 14^th edition, the Jazz Festival takes place in Panama City, from the 10^th to the 14^th of January 2017.

This celebration is a cultural project where the creativity, exchange, talent and inspiration made of this event a real international reference which welcomes more than 20 thousand people each year.

For 2017, the festival is proud to dedicate the event to the famous singer Violeta Green, for its contribution. Thanks to the help of the government, private companies, non-governmental organizations and a large public, the capital of Panama becomes the backdrop of world jazz for 4 days.

It is the most important event of the year that the Danilo Pérez Foundation undertakes.

So book your tickets online NOW, join this event and enjoy the 25 artists of this festival!

Few words about the Panama Jazz Festival’ story:

Everything began in 1965 when Danilo Pérez Urriola (father) decided to use the music for young people in troubles, in the province of Colón. He wrote a thesis about how the music can help these young to practice their creativity and becoming good citizens.

Afterwards, his son, the famous jazz pianist Danilo Pérez Samudio, decided to create some free music classes for young people and, after some studies in the United States, he became a prominent Jazz figure and established the famous music program Jamboree Juventud de Panamá in 1980.

After various helps in some Jazz programs and many concerts and master classes in Panama and all over the world, he decided to start the International Jazz Festival in 2003. He also finally founded the Danilo Perez Foundation in 2004, in order to organize educational events and doing of these programs, a sustainable project that can reach all the country.

He wants to make of this event, a real international jazz festival of the highest category. The first year, the Festival welcomed over 8 thousand people and more than 200 music students.

On the 11^th edition, the Festival attracted more than 25 thousand people and over 2 thousand students from all over the world.

Since its beginning, they have counted more than 220 000 persons worldwide.

The Panama Jazz Festival is made of music lessons during the week from 9am to 4pm, followed by various concerts in different parts of Panama City.

From 4 to 6pm: Afternoon family concerts

From 7 to 11pm: Concerts in the Ateneo Theater

From 9pm to 2am: Jam sessions at Danilo’s Jazz Club

The music lessons are made up of instruments, composition, folklore, classical music, improvisation, musical therapy, and many other topics directly linked to music.

The professors who teach the lessons are the best students and teachers of the music schools, in partnership with the festival.

Furthermore, since the 11^th edition, the total amount announced in grants during the Panama Jazz Festival, exceeds 3,5 billions of dollars.

Take part of this unique moment that is this Panamanian Festival.

Simple amateur or a big fan of Jazz, you will spend such a good time listening the 25 artists, dancing with your friends, meeting people and sharing your passion for music.

More than just a Festival, go to learn more about its story, enjoying the knowledge of its teachers and so more…

You won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure!

Panama Jazz Festival Marks 10th Anniversary in 2013

By Benita Rose

On January 14-19, 2013 the annual Panama Jazz Festival, one of the region’s largest music education events held in Panama City, marks its 10^th anniversary.

Since its foundation in September 2003 by Panamanian Grammy-winning pianist Danilo Pérez, the festival has become a cultural tourist attraction by drawing audiences from across the globe with up to 100,000 people attending each year, as well as numerous international jazz musicians.

Danilo Pérez, who is not only founder of the festival, but also UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Cultural Ambassador of Panama and founder of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute at Berklee College of Music, describes his mission as “inspiring and educating while providing tools and opportunities to build a better future for individuals and their communities”.

Since music education is a great part of the festival, a week full of several master workshops at the so-called “Music Clinics” will be provided again this year by some of the best music institutions and by all invited artists. At the clinics, students from all parts of Latin America and the world will come together to learn from the international masters of jazz music. Artists such as Wayne Shorter, Chucho Valdez, Jack De Johnette, and Randy Weston have given lectures at the festival in the past years. In addition to this, Panamanian Folklore, classical music, production, and many other subjects have been taught.

The event has also become a center for auditions for admissions and scholarships for the participating institutions. In fact, the Panama Jazz Festival is the largest recruiting space in all Latin America for admissions and scholarships for some of the best music schools in the Americas.

With a rich program of concerts, music clinics and jam sessions taking place in various theatres and venues across the whole city, the Panama Jazz Festival 2013 will again be a great way to get a taste of local culture and to listen to some great Jazz music.