The auditorium was so packed that there were not enough parking spaces for all the attendees, so some of them resorted to leaving their car on the sidewalk. The big draw  that evening was a performance by the students and teachers of the Danilo Pérez Foundation, as a follow-up to the headline act by the renowned U.S. pianist Herbie Hancock.

The first group was a big hit, as the audience showed their appreciation for the rhythms of the best jazz improvisations with applause, whistles, shouts and even several standing ovations. These talented youth come from humble homes in the capital and seek an outlet through musical instruments to channel their emotions and, on the long term, to try to start a professional career.

After an intermission, the famous Herbie Hancock, winner of multiple Grammy awards, took the stage to please the audience for over an hour with his hits.  Hancock really won over the crowd when he showed his skill in speaking Spanish.

A jazzy fashion show

Before the concert started, students from the University of Panama showcased a creative collection of dresses, all crafted with advertising from previous Panama Jazz Festivals. Minidresses, straplesses and evening gowns in shades of black, orange or blue were some of the most showy pieces. Impressive work!