Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 5, 2026
Nominated for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album”
Danilo Pérez, the Panamanian master pianist, composer, and global cultural ambassador, has earned his ninth GRAMMY® Award nomination for his latest recording, Lumen, a landmark collaboration with Sweden’s world-renowned Bohuslän Big Band. The album is nominated in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, further cementing Pérez’s stature as one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz.
Released as a bold trans-Atlantic artistic statement, Lumen brings together Pan-American rhythms, Afro-Latin traditions, and modern jazz language with the Nordic orchestral power of one of Europe’s most forward-thinking big bands. The result is a luminous, cinematic work where daring improvisation and meticulously crafted large-ensemble writing coexist in thrilling balance.
Compositions such as “Galactic Panama” and the title track “Lumen” echo Pérez’s deep Panamanian roots while pushing the boundaries of what is possible within contemporary large-ensemble jazz. The album stands as both an expansive musical journey and a deeply human meditation on cultural connection.
“Lumen symbolizes how diverse cultures can unite while creating together and sharing unforgettable musical moments steeped with beauty and harmony,” says Danilo Pérez. “This project reflects everything I believe art can be — a universal welcoming rooted in common respect, imagination, and collective humanity. It is such an honor to be recognized by The Recording Academy for this trans-Atlantic collaboration, which has been one of the most wonderful journeys I’ve taken with a big band since my days performing with Dizzy Gillespie.”
Bohuslän Big Band orchestra manager Eric Brandström Arellano adds, “This album is a milestone in Danilo’s extraordinary career. His boundless energy, musical integrity, and inclusive vision created an environment where this orchestra could explore new artistic depths.”
For more than three decades, Danilo Pérez has been hailed as a singular jazz giant. With nine GRAMMY® nominations and three GRAMMY® wins, his career includes formative roles as the youngest member of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra and as a core member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet alongside John Patitucci and Brian Blade.
Beyond performance, Pérez’s influence extends far beyond the stage. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Founder of the Panama Jazz Festival, a UNESCO Artist for Peace, and Panama’s Cultural Ambassador — roles that reflect his lifelong commitment to music as a force for unity, diplomacy, and social transformation.
Based in Sweden, the Bohuslän Big Band has earned an international reputation for redefining the modern big band through fearless collaborations and adventurous repertoire. Since 2004, the orchestra has been in residence at Vara Concert Hall, working with leading voices across the global jazz spectrum.
As the international music community turns its attention toward this year’s GRAMMY® Awards, Lumen stands as both a celebration of large-ensemble jazz at its most expansive and a powerful affirmation of Danilo Pérez’s enduring role as one of the great architects of contemporary jazz.
What the media is saying about Lumen:
“This meeting of minds reveals three rare aspects in music: the remarkable density and vivid brightness of Mr. Pérez’s musical ingenuity; the profound reflection of music’s continuum since time immemorial; and the epic global relevance of his musical voice.”
— Raúl da Gama, That Canadian Magazine
“Danilo Pérez, a great jazz master if ever there was one, continues to pile up accolades. With Lumen, he offers refined, sophisticated jazz that seamlessly blends Afro-Panamanian and Latin rhythms with the harmonic richness of modern jazz and art music, brought vividly to life by the scintillating Bohuslän Big Band.”
— Frédéric Cardin, PAN M 360
“He is not afraid of anything.” — Herbie Hancock
“Danilo Pérez is a man with some serious jazz cred… As a composer and bandleader himself, he’s practically peerless.” — NPR
“His recording Motherland can rightly be considered a touchstone for the current generation of jazz hybridists.” — The New York Times
“Bohuslän Big Band is a world-class jazz orchestra… with a dynamic range and primordial force that leaves few untouched.” — Quincy Jones
