Danilo Perez

As a mentor, you hope to offer your students the tools to shape their dreams—but witnessing them step through those doors is something words can hardly capture. Lucas’s journey is rooted in the work we’ve done through the Fundación Danilo Pérez in Panama, together with the support of his parents-nurturing young artists to discover their voice, their purpose, and their connection to community.
From our rehearsal in toronto today to receiving a Presidential Scholarship at Berklee, my heart is full.I’m deeply proud of you, Lucas Maylin.
See you tomorrow at Koerner Hall, 8 PM—sharing the stage with my brothers, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Jane Bunnett, April Webb, Fall Raye and an incredible Toronto Big Band🎶❤️

Como mentor, uno espera brindar a los estudiantes las herramientas para dar forma a sus sueños, pero ser testigo de cómo cruzan esas puertas es algo que las palabras difícilmente pueden capturar. La trayectoria de Lucas tiene sus raíces en el trabajo que hemos realizado a través de la Fundación Danilo Pérez en Panamá, junto con el apoyo de sus padres: nutriendo a jóvenes artistas para que descubran su voz, su propósito y su conexión con la comunidad.
Desde nuestro ensayo hoy en Toronto hasta el momento en que recibió una Beca Presidencial en Berklee, tengo el corazón lleno. Estoy profundamente orgulloso de ti, Lucas Maylin.
Nos vemos mañana en el Koerner Hall, a las 8 PM, compartiendo el escenario con mis hermanos John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Jane Bunnett, April Webb, Fall Raye y una increíble Big Band de Toronto.🎶❤️

Hi Toronto friends 🇨🇦✨
Join Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade on April 25 at 8 PM at Koerner Hall for a powerful celebration of Panama with the premiere of The Panáfrica Suite.
Featuring Canadian soprano Icon Jane Bunnett, award winning singer April May Webb, saxophonist Fall Raye and panamanian percussionist Lucas Maylin this is a night you won’t want to miss.
🎟️ Be part of something special. See you there!

Hola amigos de Toronto 🇨🇦✨

Acompañen a Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci y Brian Blade el 25 de abril a las 8 PM en Koerner Hall para una poderosa celebración de Panamá con el estreno de The Panáfrica Suite.

Con la participación de la icónica canadiense Jane Bunnett, la galardonada cantante April May Webb, la saxofonista Fall Raye y el percusionista panameño Lucas Maylin—una noche que no te puedes perder.

🎟️ Sé parte de algo especial. ¡Nos vemos

✨Everything is ready for tomorrow. ✨8:00 PM at the Berklee Performance Center. 17th Aniversary Summit Concert. Honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centennial Celebration. Featuring Terri Lyne Carrington, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, the BGJI Big Band and myself Danilo Perez.
See you all tomorrow 🎶🎶🎶🎶

Join me in celebrating the 17th Anniversary Summit Concert of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Happening on April 2nd at the Berklee Performance Center at 8:00 PM. A special evening honoring the centennial legacies of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two visionaries who transformed the language of music and continue to inspire generations around the world.

I’ll be joined by dear friends and extraordinary artists John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, and Terri Lyne Carrington along with our incredible BGJI students and big band led by Chase Morrin. Together, we celebrate not only their music, but the spirit of creativity, community, and global connection.

I invite you to be part of this meaningful night. 🎶

Acompáñenme a celebrar el 17º Concierto Cumbre del Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Tendrá lugar en día 2 de Abril en el Berklee Performance Center a las 8:00 PM. Una noche muy especial en honor al centenario de Miles Davis y John Coltrane, dos visionarios que transformaron el lenguaje de la música y continúan inspirando a generaciones en todo el mundo.

Me acompañarán grandes amigos y artistas extraordinarios John Patitucci, Joe Lovano y Terri Lyne Carrington junto a nuestros increíbles estudiantes de BGJI y la big band dirigida por Chase Morrin. Juntos celebraremos no solo su música, sino también el espíritu de creatividad, comunidad y conexión global.

Los invito a ser parte de esta noche tan significativa. 🎶

From the depths of history to today…

“Wonder of the World” is more than a composition—
it is memory, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of those who shaped the path between worlds.

Featured in Echoes of the Canal, the second movement of The Panáfrica Suite.

Deep gratitude to Catherine Russell for her soulful rendition, to Ivette Modestin for her powerful and inspiring words, and to Andre Sudol for bringing this piece to life through his beautiful arrangement.

We are Africa in the Americas.
Esto es Panama🇵🇦🎶

Desde las profundidades de la historia hasta hoy…

“Wonder of the World” es más que una composición—
es memoria, sacrificio y el espíritu perdurable de quienes forjaron el camino entre mundos.

Parte de Echoes of the Canal, el segundo movimiento de The Panáfrica Suite.

Profundo agradecimiento a Catherine Russell por su interpretación tan hermosa y llena de alma, a Ivette Modestin por sus palabras poderosas e inspiradoras,
y a Andre Sudol por el hermoso arreglo de mi composición.
Somos Africa de las Américas
Esto es Panama 🇵🇦 🎶

After an unforgettable experience in New York, I would like to express my sincere gratitude.

To all the members of the orchestra and to Maestro Wynton Marsalis, thank you for your artistry, spirit, and commitment, and for the vision to invite me to be part of the Mother Africa season, where I had the honor of premiering a piece about our Afro-Panamanian heritage on that beautiful stage, The Panáfrica Suite—a musical journey honoring the resilience, creativity, and spirit of Africa in Panamá and the Americas. Thank you as well to the entire production team for making this performance possible.

It was also an honor to share the stage with saxophonist and composer Godwin Louis and to hear his PREMIERE piece “African Roots, Diasporic Routes.”
My appreciation to Catherine Russell for her beautiful interpretation of “Wonder of the World”, and to Ivette Modestin for her meaningful words.

Thank you to Lucas Maylin and Weedie Braimah for their contributions on percussion.

Grateful to Patricia Zárate for writing “Reimagining Panama’s Musical and Cultural Narratives of Jazz”, and to Andre Sudol for his support and work on the arrangement of “Wonder of the World.”

Thank you to my colleagues, friends, fans, and all my present and former students for your support. And thank you to New York City’s audience for such a strong and warm reception.

I hope to bring this work to the theater stage in Panama in the next 3 to 5 years, with dancers and choreography.
🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶