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10 years ago, in 2014, the American Trade Hotel opened in Casco Viejo. This new hotel would offer luxury lodging options in conjunction with Hotel Central Panama. Tucked within this hotel in Panama City is the Danilo Perez Jazz Club.
The Danilo Perez Jazz Club is not the first jazz venue in Panama City’s historic quarter. Platea Jazz Bar would hold that title. Although that club no longer exists, it does bring back fond memories, especially during the Panama Jazz Festival which used to be held in Casco Antiguo. This club would hold the jam sessions, which are more relaxed than the formal events. Musicians would play after the workshops and shows. These jam sessions are still done in the jazz club in the American Trade Hotel and Villa Agustina.
Danilo Perez Jazz Club
The Danilo Perez Jazz Club is one of my favorite bars in Casco Viejo. Enter this club on the side of the American Trade Hotel from Plaza Herrera. Step into an internal courtyard that still looks like the building was abandoned, with some plants hanging from the wall and a few tables.
After you will pass into the intimate locale which was recently reconceptualized. This space can seat only 60 guests per show. Some nights there are more than one show with an earlier and a later time slot. Make sure to contact the hotel to make reservations at the Danilo Perez Jazz Club.
This hotel in Casco Viejo was inspired by the great clubs and lounges around the world. They have a small stage at the end of the venue where the artist performs. It is mostly local talent, however they do have international artists visiting. Initially only jazz was played at the Danilo Perez Jazz Club. After many years they also added salsa and tango nights.
Tickets for the Danilo Perez Jazz Club can be purchased on the American Trade Hotel website. Prices range between $10-20 per person depending on the artist performing. There is also a food menu for those who get hungry during the show. Guests can enjoy hand crafted cocktails and many other options from the bar. It is possible to rent out the Danilo Perez Jazz Club for celebrations and private parties.
Who is Danilo Perez?
Danilo Perez actually grew up in Casco Viejo, Santa Ana and El Chorrillo. He was born on December 29, 1965. His father, a school teacher, taught him about school subjects like science and mathematics using music. By the age of 10 he was studying European classical piano at the National Conservatory in Panama.
Children of the Light by Danilo Perez
Danilo Perez won a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States. Originally he went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, but then he transferred to the Berkeley College of Music after winning the Quincy Jones Scholarship. The annual jazz festival is done in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music which awards scholarships to talented Panamanian students. In 2008 he was asked by them to design a curriculum that included both his work as an artist and humanitarian to teach talented musicians. He was named the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in 2009.
At one point, Danilo Perez had a jazz school just off Plaza Herrera, but I am not quite sure when that closed and the building is now abandoned.
His career started as a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s Union National Orchestra. He stayed with the band until Dizzy died in 1992. Later he started producing his own music. This talented Panamanian musician won both a Grammy and a Latin America Grammy. As a philanthropist he was named Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF and now serves as UNESCO artist for peace and as a cultural Ambassador to Panama.
Panama Jazz Festival started in 2003. The 22 version of this event will be held from the 13-18 of January, 2025. It will be dedicated to the princess Orelia Benskina, a renowned Panamanian ballerina and choreographer who won the American Heritage Award in 1972. We would never have imagined that it would be such a popular event (in a country that loves reggaeton and salsa) that would grow throughout the years. There is another jazz and blues festival held yearly in Boquete.
American Trade Hotel
This hotel in Casco Viejo is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Property owners restored an iconic building dating back to 1917. Originally it was the headquarters of the American Trade Developing Company. Considered to be a skyscraper in its time, the top floors were apartments and there was a department store on the ground floor. The current event hall was the Citibank building. After World War II it was abandoned and it later became a crackhouse. You can see before and after photos here.
American Trade Hotel has a gorgeous library, a small rooftop pool, event space and the Danilo Perez Jazz Club. The restaurant is called the Dining Room. It is located on the main floor if entering from Avenida Central, right in front of the Our Lady of Mercy Church. It opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure to make reservations if going for Sunday brunch. There is also a lobby bar and a small coffee shop.
There are eight different room types at the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo. This four story building has 50 rooms that keep their colonial charm while featuring a contemporary design. Some rooms have terraces while others have internal courtyards. This hotel is pet friendly if the pet weighs under 25 pounds.