Explosion of talent at 13th Panama Jazz Festival
By Ken Grady
PANAMA’S 13th Annual Jazz Festival, January 11 – 16, is going to explode with a stellar lineup of some of the best Jazz musicians in the world.
Featured this year will be the great piano maestro, Randy Weston. He will be honored for the many milestones reached during his spectacular 70 year career.
Here’s a day-to-day preview of the headliners:
Monday, January 11 trumpeter, composer and bandleader, Dave Douglas(tpt) will be playing with the Berklee Global Jazz Institute.
Born in 1963, Douglas studied at Berklee School of Music. He has 40 recordings to his credit and and is a former member of the San Francisco Jazz Collective. In 1984 he toured Europe with legendary pianist Horace Silver. In the 1990’s, Douglas’s musical pursuits ranged from classical, to folk and jazz, including Balkan improvisations, and Eastern European influences.
On Tuesday, January 12, Rudresh Mahanthappa & his Quintet perform. I have seen him perform, and he knows his stuff. A Jazz alto sax player, Rudresh is of Indian lineage but, was born in Italy, and grew up in Colorado. His first Jazz influence came from listening to Charlie Parker. Later,
Rudresh was inspired by Indian saxophonist, Dr. Kadri Golpalnat ‘s use of western instruments in melding progressive Jazz with Southern Indian classical music. Mahanthappa’s new release, Bird Calls, is a tribute to Parker. It has earned him the Downbeat Critics’ Poll for, Album of the Year, Alto Saxophonist of the Year, and Rising Composer of the Year. Following Rudresh Mahathappa on Tuesday night will be Panamanian trumpet legend, Reggie Boyce, along with bassist Reggie Johnson who worked with Archie Shepp in the mid 1960’s.
The Gala on Wednesday, January 13 is a special night. The focus will be on the essence of Jazz, and the work of the Danilo Perez Foundation. Attendees are encouraged to make charitable contributions to support the non-profit foundation which provides free music instruction for under privileged youth. Performing will be Danilo Perez & The Pan-American Detroit Big Band, Danny Rivera(v), known as the “national voice of Puerto Rico”, and other special guests.
On Thursday, January 14, Randy Weston will be honored. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1926, Weston has roots in the Blues and Jazz. His early musical inspiration was from Thelonius Monk. However, his love affair with African culture has influenced his music since the early 1990’s. During this period Weston collaborated with Texas saxophone innovator Billy Harper. In 2013 that union produced their first release as a duo, The Roots of the Blues, a recording that combines their love of the Blues and world music.
Friday, January 15, the MCA Power Trio features David Murray(ts), Geri Allen(p) and Terry Lynn Carrington(dr). Here’s a little background:
Tenor sax man David Murray’s early influences were Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, and other improvisationists of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Later, Murray incorporated more mainstream elements from cats like Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. You can hear both styles interchangeably at times sounding a little like Coltrane, during his spiritual period, and then mellowing out.
Geri Allen is an incredibly gifted pianist, composer and educator. To me her music is both rhythmic and reflective. I first heard her about 15 years ago. She was new to me. When I hear music that’s new to me I want to know who the musician is playing with. I found Geri by following players like. Charles Lloyd, Alice Coltrane, bassists Ron Carter & Charlie Haden, and drummer Jack DeJohnette Her discography dates back 30 years with many awards to her credit.
I began playing the music of bandleader, composer & recording artist, Terry Lyne Carrington on the radio about 10 years ago. But, seeing her live at the PJF has been a real treat. She is a 3 time Grammy Award winning Jazz drummer, composer and vocalist. Early influences include her father, a Jazz sax man himself. And, at age 7 she inherited a set of drums from her late grandfather, Matt Carrington, who played with Fats Waller. At age 11 she received a scholarship to Berklee, where she is now a professor. My appreciation for these three artists together, will be “over the moon” But, don’t take my word for it, just show up and see for yourself.
Daytime activities at the 2016 PJF include workshops, and even more live Jazz beginning afternoons at 1pm, with no admission fee.
After the main events on each night there will be live Jazz at Danilo’s Jazz Club in Casco Viejo from 9 -11pm Late night jam sessions will begin at midnight.
On the final day Saturday, January 16, the free outdoor concert will run from 3pm at the City of Knowledge.
