By Kevin L. Ball
The 20th Annual Panama Jazz Festival
Who comes to mind when you think about a great leader? How do they operate? What makes people want to follow them? Think about these three questions.
Those attributes you have in your mind are exactly what I experienced at the 20th Annual Panamá Jazz Festival. I know, you’re thinking, Kevin, what does leadership have to do with music? Well, let me take you on a journey to Panama and introduce you to the leaders of the event. Danilo Perez, Panama Jazz Festival founder and artistic director, and professor at Berklee College of Music, oh and he is a Grammy winner and this year been nominated for two more and his wife Patricia Zarate de Perez, Panama Jazz Festival executive director, also professor at Berklee College of Music. They are the gentle forces behind this monumental celebration of music, culture and dare I say the F-word, FUN!
I will breakdown the qualities of what a great leader is so that you understand the context of this article. Danilo and Patricia have excellent emotional intelligence (EI). Meaning they possess and demonstrate self-regulation, empathy, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. This is important for my work with participants and individuals that are seeking to grow their leaderships skills that enroll in my leadership course at Harvard University’s Executive Education program.
Danilo with his family are carrying the torch from his father, Danilo Enrico Urriola, in his previous career, was a middle school educator and a well-known Panamanian singer. He spoke about the importance of music education for children in schools and their social education. Danilo and Patricia, including their children who are also musicians and leaders are the personification of these important ideas. I would be remiss, not to mention the top-notch staff and volunteer collective they have developed.
For example, there was a problem with my bank communicating with their ticketing system. Danilo immediately sent a note to their staff to help take care of my needs. Oh, and by the way, the problems persisted. Nonetheless, my hand was held through the entire process to resolution. Again, an example of EI, in this case, empathy.
The teamwork I experienced was truly amazing. Teamwork falls under relationship management. Having produced music events, I have empathy for what it takes to pull it off. The Perez family has been operating in all facets of this world-renowned event for twenty years. Without EI, in my opinion, it would not be as successful as it is today.
In any case, if you are seeking to improve your leadership skills in large-scaled programs, I highly recommend that you attend the Panama Jazz Festival. Equally important, from a jazz perspective, its curated music will blow you away. From the Perez’s students from Berklee and Panama to the world class artist they carefully select for their themed event. This 20th
celebration, La Ruta de Jazz (The Jazz Route) proves my point. As you can see from the quality, depth, and range of artists from the performance schedule here. The 20th Annual Panama Jazz Festival is a family event for all to be enjoyed.
Oh wait, there’s more! There’s five days of free outdoor concerts at the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) and that’s an understatement. We enjoyed warm afternoons in a grand pavilion surrounded by a delicious food court with tropical breezes to enjoy a blend of wonderful jazz. Calele, Danilo and Patricia’s daughter opened the fresh air series singing and playing trumpet with her ensemble. Again, leadership my friends.
Speaking of the City of Knowledge, all who are interested in learning more about jazz participated in master classes led by the headliners throughout the entire week. There were free outdoor concerts every day. Headliner concerts every night, with the Gala program red carpet media event featuring Danilo Perez’s ensemble, Children of the Light trio. Throughout
the week there were jam sessions until the after-hours. So, you ask when did we sleep? Not much, the energy from the people to the music and the Panamanian culture and food is enough to survive on.
We are now on to the final day of the event; the celebration of twenty-years of the Panama Jazz Festival. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the activities commenced at 3pm. The Panama Jazz Festival army of volunteers ushered us in from opposites sides of the open-air event. There must have been over 30,000 people at the finale that’s situated in the enormous quad yard in the center of the City of Knowledge. The Sun was hot and so was the music. The sun fell behind the stage at 6:15 just in time for Global Jazz Womxn (not a typo) to hit the stage Led by Patricia. The stars began to light up the night and the environment for the finale was in motion and you could feel the energy swirling around the space. Food and beverage booths lined the perimeter, and the festival goers were comfortably nestled in the middle, families, couples, children, teenagers, and their pets, from infants to ninety years young. Babysitter not needed today. I tell you we were all there to take in the vibrations from the music and each other.
During the program, a few important Berklee College of Music scholarship awards were presented in between the sets to matriculating students. Wow! What an accomplishment for these young musicians, and the leadership of Danilo and Patricia to lay the foundation for a realized dream come true. And these young musicians can play for real! Serving as managing agent for the late great drummer Max Roach and Sherman Irby’s manager, currently lead altoist for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, while holding down a thirty-year jazz radio career. I know talent when I hear it.
Speaking of talent, Sunday’s finale showcased performers from the week culminating with Salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa. Imagine being submerged in the middle of thousands of happy people dancing, smiling, laughing, and sharing a common cause; to simply enjoy life. And yes, of course, I am returning for next year’s festival. You should join us.
Follow this link for the Panama Jazz Festival’s full lineup of activity. You will find a wealth of information about the history of the program, its founders, and the Panamanian culture. Danilo and Patricia are leaders that any of us would be happy to follow
