A Grammy Award-winning musician will entertain a local audience with his blend of Pan-American jazz in a benefit event tomorrow night that also highlights the growing revival of jazz on the North Shore.
The proceeds from Danilo Perez's performance will benefit music education under the auspices of the North Shore Jazz Project, now in its third year. Gloucester's Henry Ferrini, co-founder of the North Shore Jazz Project, was thrilled at Perez's appearance at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Feb. 10.
The Panamanian-born pianist studied classical piano before turning his attention to jazz, and was the youngest member of Dizzy Gillespie's band from 1989 to 1992.
"This pivotal tenure solidified his command of the eclectic, post-bop Latin style, and brought him to the forefront on Gillespie's Grammy Award-winning recording, 'Live At The Royal Festival Hall,' an appearance at the Kennedy Center, and worldwide touring," according to the Perez's website.
Decades later, Perez has continued with his musical success as both performer and bandleader.
"Mr. Perez is a personification of the mission of the North Shore Jazz Project," said Ferrini. "Throughout his career he has been an active participant in creating an environment where jazz performance, education and appreciation can flourish. This is going to be an exciting concert."
Ferrini said that the mission of the project has been and continues to be to create an environment on the North Shore where three things happen — music education, performance and appreciation of the music.
Scott Southard, a member of the jazz project board of directors, talked about Perez.
"Danilo embodies the greatness of what jazz music is about — its freedom and its creativity and a legacy of its oral tradition," he said. "Danilo's history is absolutely fascinating. He came to the United States as a young student in the 1980s and after just a few years at Berklee he joined Dizzy Gillespie's band. Dizzy was an architect of the art form and very influential in developing the be bop form of jazz."
The jazz project here was inspired by two music lovers from decades ago, the late Sandy Berman and Lennie Sogoloff, who brought people like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Howlin' Wolf to the North Shore, said Ferrini who worked at the Beverly music establishment in the 1970s before it closed. Ferrini tried to create a nonprofit in the 1980s without much success.
"There has been a dearth of places to hear jazz music for so long that people were excited when we started to have events at Chianti's. We were getting a good response and people in the community were interested," he said.
Of the 10 board members, a few are from Cape Ann including Ferrini, Southard, Mark Glovsky and William Taylor.
Friday's show also has another act performing, one that grew out of the North Shore Jazz Project that created the All Stars, which is made up of some of the best high school players in a number of North Shore communities.
"These young players are just something to behold, very gifted students," said Ferrini, noting that one member is Jon Perry of Gloucester.
Leading the All Stars is Michael Tucker, a familiar face on Cape Ann for his many performances here over the years.
"He is a role model for these kids," said Ferrini. "Not only is he a gifted instrumentalist but he is a very fine teacher."
Tucker is a graduate of Danvers High, Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory.
The North Shore Jazz Project has hosted public concerts, conducted educational workshops and has brought together players and teachers from Berklee and the New England Conservatory to mentor local high school students.
"This event really tells the story of the impact a group of local music lovers can have on our community — both educationally and culturally," said Ferrini.
For more information, visit www.rcmf.org/outside-presentations/danilo-perez.html.
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
if you go
Who and what: Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Danilo Pé©rez performs in Rockport.
When: Friday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m.
Where: Shalin Liu Performance Center.
Why: This is a benefit for the North Shore Jazz Project.
How much: Tickets are $25, $30, $35. Buy online at http://www.rcmf.org/tickets.html or call 978-546-7391. For more information, visit www.rcmf.org/outside-presentations/danilo-perez.html.
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