1- "A Remark You Made" from Heavy Weather by Weather Report
I was around 14 years old and living in Panama when I first heard this record. It immediately caught my attention and had a profound effect on me. At that period in time, I made an agreement with my mother to become an electronics major and set music aside as a hobby. Everything I heard in this track was calling me to become a musician. At times I would dream of meeting the band and watching the concert live. I guess the call was too strong...
2- "Autumn Leaves" from Portrait in Jazz by Bill Evans
In 1984, while studying at Indiana University in Pennsylvania, one of my teachers lent me a cassette of this record and I immediately loved it. I was just out of Panama was feeling sad, lonely, and nervous because I was away from my family and I could barely speak English. This record gave me a lot of company in my solitude and kept me going. It also taught me a lot and kept me busy as I transcribed the entire album. I especially loved the trio interaction in "Autumn Leaves."
3. "My Funny Valentine" Miles Davis
"My Funny Valentine" is one of the tracks that made want to dedicate my life to jazz entirely. My piano teacher at Berklee, Donald Brown, recommended the record to me. I wore it out during my first semester at Berklee in 1985. I could sing every one of the solos – everybody is playing so beautifully. This record made a big mark on my life and it made me want to pursue a career playing jazz. I remember I wanted to publish a book of all of Herbie's solos on it.
4- "Ñáñara Caí" from Conquista Musica by Papo Lucca
When I listen to this track, it brings back memories of my childhood in Panama, jamming together with my father. My father is a wonderful singer and was my first mentor. He taught me the power of music to learn many subjects in life. He loved this track because of the piano solo and encouraged me to learn it. So, at 6 years old, I learned Papo Lucca's solo, playing note by note, and my father and I would jam to the song. An unforgettable experience.
5 "Succotash" from Inventions & Dimensions by Herbie Hancock
This track blew me away. I realized while listening that I was feeling the triplets. It taught me that the inside power of those quarter notes in swing come from the 12/8. You can hear it clearly when Paul Chambers walks and the rhythm section stays in 6/8. It took my Pan-African roots and jazz to a whole different level of assimilation. It opened a door for me to research and create the record called 'The Journey' where I explored the binarization of tertiary rhythms and the connection to Global Jazz. In 2013, I had an opportunity to interview Herbie Hancock at the Panama Jazz Festival and he mentioned that there was no rehearsal for this recording. Grateful for this track in my life because it helped to connect to my roots in Panama.
6- "Only The Lonely" by Frank Sinatra
This track makes me cry even now. I feel grateful for the love I feel for my wife. In 2000, our relationship was going through challenges. Listening to this track was a knife to my heart as it made me think of her and all the experiences we had together. I felt sad and lonely. I almost missed the boat and lost her, and listening to this track reminded of those moments. Feeling eternal gratitude to have married her and I am grateful to this track for that powerful experience.
7- "Go" from Footprints Live by Wayne Shorter
Jazz singer Kurt Elling and I just recorded an album that will be out in April 2020. One of the tracks he wanted to revisit is "Go" from this record. As I listened to it, I started having memories of that day. It started at breakfast with Wayne, talking about going somewhere when you played. Then John Patitucci had a feeling he wanted to play his song called "Go" that I did not know. So as soon as we got into the hotel, I went to listened to it and John did a quick lead sheet because the concert was in 2 hours. At the concert that afternoon, Wayne went right into it in the middle of an outdoor concert as John had anticipated. It was terrifying and I felt scared, but tried my best and that's what is on the record. On this new recording, Kurt took Wayne's solo and put lyrics to it. He asked me to reimagine something new underneath. This put me in a very uncomfortable situation to try to revisit it. In the end, I believe with the support of band we discovered some new territories in our collective improv.
8- "Negrito" by Victor Boa
Here is somebody who has influenced me tremendously since I was a kid. I worked in a hotel at night, playing accordion, and he would play solo piano in the afternoon. I would usually come 2 or 3 hours early and he would say sit down right beside me and watch everything. Okay!!!! He took influences from Jazz, Cuban son, funk, calypso and mixed it up in a very organic way. When I listen to this track it makes me feel fortunate and privileged for all of those experiences. He is one of leading exponents of Tambo Jazz. I love this track.
9- "Pata Pata" by Miriam Makeba
My father said that this track made a huge impression on me even at 2 years old. He would play a game throwing a hundred records on the floor and I was able to find this one right away and bring it back – it was the big hit of many encounters in our house. As I reflect on it, there must be a message Makeba was sending me from Africa about music and Social Activism already. In 1991, I had the privilege to tour with Miriam Makeba and my mentor Dizzy Gillespie.
Danilo Perez brings his Global Messengers, masters from musical traditions in Palestine, Greece, and Jordan to join his Panama roots, to the Queen Elizabeth Hall tomorrow Fri 22 Nov. Accompanied by Farayi Malek(vocals), Vasilis Kostas (laouto), Layth Al-Rubaye (violin), Naseem Alatrash (cello), Tareq Rantisi(percussion)
