Worcester State College

April 26, 2003

On April 26^th, the Trio performed in Worcester, MA at Worcester State College.  We were invited by a student organization that brings in diverse entertainment to reach out to the broad spectrum of cultures represented at the school.  It is a really cool organization, and very well run.

The reason I mention this organization is that they arranged a “double bill” concert for that evening.  The Matt Savage Trio performed for an hour, and then another group was scheduled to perform.  Well, the other group happened to be Danilo Pérez and his Trio!!!!!!

Matt with Danilo (center), Ben Street (left), Adam Cruz (right)

For those few of you who have not yet heard of Danilo Pérez, he is a phenomenal pianist from Panama who has been nominated for three Grammys.  He has toured and/or recorded with a who’s who list a mile long, including Wayne Shorter, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis…the list goes on and on.  I can’t even begin to mention everyone here.

Matt’s sharing the stage with Danilo Pérez is completely unbelievable.  All three of the Matt Savage Trio’s band members were totally excited about hearing and meeting Danilo.  They (and I) were not disappointed.

Danilo put on a remarkable performance.  You’ve got to hear his music to believe it.  He has a flair and a style of Pan-American music that is unlike anyone else.  Matt sat totally transfixed when listening to Danilo, and smiled when he especially appreciated something in Danilo’s music.  He loved the 7/4 rhythms, and absorbed a great deal from listening to the master.  Ben Street, Danilo’s bass player and Adam Cruz, Danilo’s drummer also got “Wow!”s of approval.  Matt completely LOVED the concert, even though the hour was late and we had a long drive home (in the pouring rain) afterwards.

After the concert, Danilo and his band took time to meet Matt and the guys and hung out with us for a bit.  Danilo was truly wonderful with Matt.  They talked about music and just regular stuff like interests and such.  We were the fortunate ones in having the opportunity to share an evening’s stage with Danilo Pérez.  Matt will never forget this night, I am sure.