Casco Viejo – Panama – Casco Antiguo

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s Historic City

Last night was the inauguration of the Panama Jazz Festival at the National Theatre in Casco Viejo, Panama.  I was lucky to be backstage and enjoy the great music and musicians! this photo is from part of their rehearsal an hour or so before opening curtains.

My favorite last night was the Harlem String Quartet.  I noticed that, while with a dancer or an actor you can forever wonder whether they are the same on stage (or film) as in real life (and there are hundreds of magazines that exist only to “reveal” whether they are or not!)… with musicians you have the answer straight out: they are what you see and listen to! They can´t help it! And this was the case of the Harlem Quartet. They were so much fun backstage, making jokes, always with a smile.  I had never listened to their work, so I was wondering how it would be. They came out… and had a blast! the audience enjoyed every fun piece executed both with mastery and great spirits. No wonder one of their main activities is education.  To be a great teacher you have to know how to capture your audience and keep them with you… and boy did they know!fantastic.

There was also the abstract piece by the Conservatorio de Paris, directed by Riccardo Del Fra. Let`s face it: jazz sometimes can get into some imaginative lands! these guys were as creative as it could get, I don`t think I`ve ever seen the trumpet being played like this before.

And finally… but not least important, the Vitín Paz performance with his Big Band.It was amazing to see him play, seating elegantly with his tall hat.  And the kids at the band were playing at their best, sharing the scene with seasoned international artists. Danilo Pérez himself was smiling, dancing on and off stage. The night ended (for us!) around 11 p.m.  But the gang was fired up with energy… straight to a jam session that lasted (I`m sure) till 1 a.m. !

Panama Jazz Fest