Pianist Danilo Perez Takes an Ambitious ‘Journey’

Danilo Perez has no qualms about wading right into an artistic challenge.

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On “The Journey,” the 27-year-old Panamanian pianist’s second Novus Records album, he tackles no smaller a subject than the story of African slaves brought to South--and eventually North--America.

With instrumental portraits that range from seething to soothing, Perez recounts the slaves’ departure from Africa, their integration into the societies of the Americas and their ultimate liberation.

Perez wrote his pieces based on stories he devised from his dreams.

“I wanted the music to give the message that slavery was terrible, but also that we must learn to respect other people so that people of all races can go out and build the best world we can,” says Perez, speaking from Panama, where he was participating in the national elections, supporting upstart Ruben Blades in his unsuccessful bid to become that country’s president.

The pianist plays Tuesday through May 29 at Catalina Bar & Grill, leading his quartet with Larry Schneider on sax, Larry Grenadier on bass and Ignacio Berroa on drums (Berroa will be replaced on May 28 only by Terri Lyne Carrington). He says the band represents not only musicality, but social consciousness. In this direction, he was inspired by Dizzy Gillespie, with whom Perez worked in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

One of the most alluring facets of “The Journey” is that there are several pieces, among them “The Captive,” that start out as Latin or African in rhythmic nature and then go into hearty jazz, 4/4 swing. “Diz was the one who started to do this,” he says. “I like it when you can’t tell if it’s a Latin piece, or a swing piece.”

Information: (213) 466-2260.

Revival in Monterey: After many years of creative doldrums, this year’s Monterey Jazz Festival, Sept. 16-18 on the Monterey county fairgrounds, offers the kind of musically rich and diverse lineup that marked the festival’s halcyon days in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, when the late founder-producer Jimmy Lyons was at his best.

The event is headlined by artists such as Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Shirley Horn and Ornette Coleman. A tribute to bassist Ray Brown includes guests J. J. Johnson and Milt Jackson, and the West Coast premiere of Max Roach’s 12-piece percussion ensemble, M’Boom. A new work for jazz trio and 23-piece string/brass ensemble that was commissioned by the festival will also be performed.

“I took my cues from old programs in scheduling this year’s festival,” says Tim Jackson, now in his second year as Monterey’s producer and musical director. “A lot of incredible stuff used to happen here. The commission thing is a natural, and I’m hoping to do that on an annual basis.”

Others on the program: Grover Washington Jr., the Contemporary Keyboard Ensemble, the Bob Mintzer big band and Etta James.

For five-concert season tickets, from $115 to $150, call (800) 307-3378. Some single-event tickets may be available at the gate.

Benefits and Tributes: Linda Hopkins and Margie Evans, two queens of the blues, sing at a benefit for the 5-4 Optimist Club when they appear tonight and Saturday, 8:30-11:30 p.m., at the reopening of the historic 54 Ballroom, 310 W. 54th St. Donation: $30. Information: (310) 293-0587. . . . Trilogy and Storm Front, two combos from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts that have been invited to appear at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, perform at a benefit concert tonight at 8. The fund-raising show at USC’s Bovard Auditorium features guest stars Plas Johnson and Peter Erskine. Proceeds will go to pay the travel expenses to Montreux. Information: (213) 740-7111. . . . Arsenio Hall “Posse” bassist John B. Williams leads a celebrity jam session featuring “Posse” leader Michael Wolff and saxman Everett Harpe, among many others, tonight at 9 at the Olympic Collection, 11301 Olympic Blvd., West Los Angeles. Information: (310) 674-4725.

Critic’s Choices: Maynard Ferguson brings his mile-high trumpet tones into the House of Blues on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., playing selections from his new “Live From London” Avenue Jazz album. . . . Latin jazz violinist Susie Hansen appears tonight and May 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Whittier Hilton Hotel, (310) 945-8511, and Sunday and May 29, at 9 p.m., at Jax in Glendale, (818) 500-1604.