Pérez, who has been awarded the first scholarship by the Danilo Pérez Foundation to study in the New England Conservatory, where he completed a master’s degree and a diploma in music composition, told reporters that in addition to Ensamble Juvenil, there are two more bands: one formed by children and the other by professors from the Foundation.
The musician encouraged young people to "explore the music with a lot of discipline" and come to the Foundation to take advantage of its educational plans.
The Jazz Festival featured, on the first day, a quartet led by the legendary Panamanian trumpeter Victor "Vitín" Pazand and quintet of the Danilo Pérez Foundation, accompanied by the Panamanian saxophonist Jahaziel Arrocha and American Kevin Harris.
In addition to the concerts of famous international jazz musicians, the Panama Jazz Festival, since its inception in 2003, offers access to programs of the best music schools in the Americas such as the Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory and Puerto Rico Conservatory, among others.
Meanwhile, Danilo Pérez, nominated several times for Grammy Awards, said that the benefit balance of the festival “is mutual,” as “talented” musicians who “have it all” come to this annual jazz gathering and share with other artists, who find it difficult to get instruments,
During the week of the Festival, “musical improvisation clinics”, music composition, Panamanian folklore, classical music with various instruments will be taking place and auditions for admission and scholarships for the the Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Puerto Rico Conservatory, and Golandsky Piano Institute will be offered.
The 9th edition of the Panama Jazz Festival, which concludes next Saturday, will featured the Cuban singer Omara Portuondo and fellow pianist Chucho Valdes; trumpeters John Scofield and Charlie Sepulveda; timbale player Tito Puente Jr.; saxophonist Luis Bonilla; and salsa player Adalberto Santiag.
Panamanian saxophonist Carlos Garnett, who in his career in the United States shared the stage with figures of the jazz history such Freddy Hubbard, Art Blakey and Miles Davis, among others, will be honored at the festival.
Approximately 28,000 people are speculated to attend the Festival, which is sponsored and supported by the Panamanian Government and private enterprises as well as the U.S embassy.
