Fast Tracks
August, 1996
On a recent radio program, the Panama-born pianist Danillo Perez spoke of an inherent Latin feel to the music of bebop composer Thelonious Monk. Perez puts his words into action on Panamonk (Impulse), applying Afro-Caribbean rhythms to seven Monk tunes. He mambos in the footsteps of trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez, who has also salsafied Monk's music. Perez' appreciation for Monk's piano voicings and rhythms makes the Latin connection clearer and the hybrid seamless.
