Danilo Perez Panamonk CD

This is one of the more interesting Thelonious Monk tribute albums of the 1990s. Pianist Danilo Perez does not really sound much like Monk except in a couple places on purpose, but he has clearly learned from Monk's music, particularly in his use of space and quirky dissonances. The trio performances range from respectful ballads and Latinized treatments of Monk tunes to originals that somehow fit logically into the mood of the set. Perez takes "'Round Midnight" and the two brief versions of "Monk's Mood" (which open and close the CD) unaccompanied, interacts closely with bassist Avishai Cohen on the other pieces, welcomes the haunting wordless vocal of Olga Roman to "September in Rio," and utilizes either Terri Lyne Carrington or Jeff Watts on the nine trio pieces. The music overall is adventurous, rhythmic, and quite joyful. A memorable outing by the talented Danilo Perez. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Power Station, New York, New York on January 3-4, 1996. Includes liner notes by Stanley Crouch.

Personnel: Danilo Perez (piano); Olga Roman (vocals); Jeff "Tain" Watts, Terri Lyne Carrington (drums).

Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.

Liner Note Author: Stanley Crouch.

Recording information: Power Station, New York, NY (01/03/1996/01/04/1996).

Photographer: Michael Halsband.

Personnel: Danilo Perez (piano); Olga Roman (vocals); Avishai Cohen (bass); Terri Lyne Carrington, Jeff Watts (drums).

Q (9/96, p.118) - 3 Stars - Good - "...an intricate and intelligent reading. Perez's Panamanian background can be detected in...the arrangements, without too many overt Latin accompaniments. It is there in the feel, in the quirky attack and edgy excitement that Monk himself appreciated..."
Down Beat (10/96, p.48) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good/Excellent - "...a smashing idea...outfit several of Thelonious Monk's tunes with spirited Latin rhythms...in a trio setting sans horns....individuality, not emulation drives this project. Perez finds fresh, rhythmically dynamic approaches to all manner of Monk material; the tunes seem to welcome this type of adaptation..."
Option (9-10/96, p.125) - "...remarkably mature and unified; the young pianist's open, percussive style meshes nicely with Monk's pounding introspection....His ideas are fresh and his playing energetic....The result demonstrates that jazz's past and future can be inextricably and wonderfully tied together."