Perez ‘goes with it’ at ‘Jazz in the Park’ finale

Spencer Patterson

Monday, June 21, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

Who: Danilo Perez.

When: Saturday.

Where: Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

Rating (out of 5 stars): **** 1/2

The Panamanian-born jazz pianist and his two bandmates transitioned smoothly between original compositions, tunes made famous by Stevie Wonder and Thelonious Monk and even a rendition of the Beatles' "Yesterday" without so much as a word of planning.

Backstage after the show, the 37-year-old Perez explained that all three musicians have free rein to select numbers on the fly in the trio's live format.

"If you're feeling something, you go with it," Perez said with a smile.

The 90-minute set provided an excellent capper to another superb four-concert season of Clark County's free "Jazz in the Park" series, held annually for the past 10 years at the Government Center Amphitheater.

Before the music began on Saturday, host Nathan Tannenbaum presented a plaque to outgoing series coordinator Dorothy Wright in recognition of her dedication to the popular event.

Wright will remain with the County's Parks and Community Services Department but will serve in another capacity. She said she will continue to help select acts for "Jazz in the Park," however, great news for locals who have enjoyed her informed choices over the years.

Perez participated for the second time Saturday, having played the same stage in 1999.

From the outset, it was evident why legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter plucked the pianist several years ago as a mainstay for his touring and recording lineup.

Perez's approach to his instrument -- like Shorter's -- is driven by creativity, his playing technically precise yet rife with feeling.

The first few bars of opening number "Native Soul," a cut off Perez's 2003 disc "... Till Then," showcased the leader's imaginative style, and the concert gained momentum from there as the sun set and the lights took effect.

The chemistry among Perez, bassist Ben Street and drummer Adam Cruz was also quite apparent, as the three men alternated between fiery up-tempo material and introspective quieter moments.

A grooving take on Wonder's "Overjoyed" highlighted the early part of the set, only to be upstaged later by a raging version of Monk's "We See."

The latter stretched past the 15-minute mark and featured a decidedly Latin flavor. Midway through the tune, the spectacled Perez voiced his approval, shouting, "Yeah!" a couple of times in the midst of some particularly hot jamming.

Near the close of the show, Perez offered a moving solo version of "Yesterday," improvising nimbly off the song's main theme.

Saturday's crowd numbered about 1,300, just two weeks after Las Vegas vocalist Marlena Shaw set an all-time "Jazz in the Park" record with about 2,700 attendees.

Those who did turn out to see Perez witnessed yet another outstanding edition in a series that has come to define consistent live music excellence in Southern Nevada.