Danilo Perez' PanaMonk Revisited

The Kimmel Center's Jazz Up Close series, which this year is dedicated to the legacy of Thelonius Monk, gets swinging Saturday with Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez leading a trio that also includes bassist John Patitucci and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.  PanaMonk Revisited will reach back and recast Perez' take on Monk compositions from his 1996 album Panamonk while perhaps also pulling from his new Provodencia. The Jazz Up Close series, which Perez, who lives in Boston, serves as artistic director of, continues with the Geri Allen Quartet on Dec. 4 and the Randy Weston Quintet on March 5.

Perez will talk about mixing the author of  "'Round Midnight" and "Crepuscule with Nellie" with Latin and classical influences in a Q and A session during intermission at the Perelman Theater show. To get an idea of what a charming guy Perez is, click here to hear him sing Happy Birthday to Wayne Shorter. Below, he has a go at Brother Thelonious' "Think Of One" at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

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