Educational Activities at the Panama Jazz Festival 2009

Founded by Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez, the Panama Jazz Festival celebrates its 6th birthday in January of 2009. The Festival’s main focus is music education and all international artists teach a one-hour master class to music students and anybody else interested in art, culture, music, jazz and improvisation. International artists have included Jack De Johnette, John Patituci, Joe Lovano, Randy Weston, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Neena Freelon, Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, Stanley Jordan, Janis Seagal, David Sanchez, Charlie Hunter, Stanley Jordan, Tia Fuller, among many others.

Each year, the festival invites educational institutions that teach one week of private and group instruction during the festival. The institutions confirmed to participate in 2009 include the New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Puerto Rico Conservatory, and the Golandsky Piano Institute. All institutions place auditions for admission and scholarship. Students who wish to audition must follow the registration process which begin by filling out THIS FORM

This year, the festival will take place January 12-17th of 2009 in Panama City, Republic of Panama. The clinics will take place January 12-16 of 2008 in the Ascanio Arosemena Education Center in the buildings of the Administration of the Panama Canal located in Ancón, Panama City.

The teachers confirmed for January of 2009 include Ken Shaphorst (trumpet and composition) and a group of 5 of the best students from the New England Conservatory; Jim Odgren (saxophone) and Jim Kelly (guitar) and a group of 4 of the best students from Berklee College of Music; and the Conservatory of Puerto Rico. Some of the
confirmed international artists that will give a master class include Wayne Shorter, Chucho Valdés, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Eddie Gomez, Marco Pignataro, Luba Mason,
and Ruben Blades.

Every festival, the Music Production and Engineering Department of Berklee College of Music brings three representatives to teach sound engineering, music production and technology to the Panama Jazz Festival. This unique program combines theory and practice in a “real life” setting. Some subjects taught by this department have included studio recording master classes, technical support and advise for recording studios, production for big band recordings, among other subjects. For more information about this program CLICK HERE

The Panama Jazz Festival also offers master classes about Panamanian folckloric music (with master Panamanian drummer Ricaurte Villareal), dance (with the members of the National Ballet of Panama), classical music (with renowned national and international classical musicians), and the Children’s Program (a music summer program dedicated to children ages 6-16)

For more information about the Clinics CLICK HERE