Danilo Perez: Artist Spotlight

Here are a few things you should know about our man, Danilo, before you see him April 10 at Ted Mann:

-Oh Danny, a Grammy? He got a shout-out nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement  for Lazy Afternoon with Claus Ogerman.

-Leading Latino Man: In October, 2009, he was awarded the 2009 Legacy Award recognizing Panamanian achievement in the arts, science, and humanities from the Smithsonian Latino Center.

-Jazz-up, folks: He founded the Panama Jazz Festival, and is the artistic director, along with serving as artistic director for the Kimmel Center's "Jazz Up Close" series.

-Super-alumni: He's also founder and artistic director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston, a new study area at the well-known, jazz-zazzy college that was his alma mater. The program "foster[s] creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines"

- Can you say global citizen? Perez is also a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF - he's got our goodwill, too.

- Now taking questions... Got a minute? Listen to this interview with WBGO and Perez as he chats about the 2010 Panama Jazz Festival, the Berklee Global Jazz initiative, and the Smithsonian Legacy Award.

- Melissa Wray,
Marketing Intern