Our Special Guest is a prodigious Panamanian singer and songwriter, baptized as “The Lady of Jazz” by the famous Panamanian singer-songwriter Danilo Perez. Coming from a musical home, where her father, the renowned singer Lord Byron and mother Erenia Mendez de Dowman, instilled in her the value of music.
Idania Dowman begins her musical steps in the church where she grew up musically by mentors who saw a potential that has led her to open concerts for world stars such as Gloria Gaynor, Raul Di Blasio and Kenny G among others.
Her outstanding career has been recognized by the United Graduate College and Seminary International (Washington DC), College of Art and Entertainment Department, by awarding her a doctorate in Art, Career in Music, Art and Culture, as well as the distinguished award, Golden Star Awards, from the Diplomatic VIP Magazine from Peru in 2019. Idania Dowman speaks exclusively to us about our musical history, culture and tourism in Panama.
What does music mean as an identity of a country and how does it impact people in other countries?
“The music that is the identity of a country is what differentiates a country from others. If we talk about Colombia, Vallenato jumps out at once, if it’s Argentina, Tango, from Spain, El Flamenco. When talking about Panama, its cheerful music, and the beautiful and luxurious folklore, which is increasingly popular in countries of the region. All this influences the Visitors thanks to the anecdotes that they may have, an example was listening to some tourists who came to Panama for carnivals, because they saw some music groups that sang very beautiful songs, motivating them to come to our country to live in person these cultural expressions. All this influences that a foreigner comes to visit us and for that reason we have to work more and more on the products we offer abroad.”
What relevance does Jazz has as a musical genre and cultural movement in our country, and what else can we do so that Jazz becomes a magnet for tourists?
“Jazz has been part of our culture since the beginning of the musical revolution in Panama, which began with the American presence here in Panama. In that Golden Age where the musical centers were Colon, and later downtown Panama City, all the night spots had musical groups performing Jazz. This marked an era that created roots, and the best example is the Panama Jazz Festival, which was not born out of thin air, our Panamanian musicians already have that knowledge in their musical heritage. Since that time jazz has been present in Panama, and for that reason Danilo Perez along with his wife Patricia Zarate broke stereotypes, showing that it is part of our culture, no matter where you are from or what the person looks like.
In order for it to continue to grow, we must continue to support it, continue offering opportunities and exposure to the different jazz groups and performers. To make Panama the Latin American center of Jazz. The best example of our great potential is Luis Carl Russel, a pianist and musical prodigy from Bocas del Toro who introduced nuances of Panamanian Caribbean music into the swing, and was musical director of the Louis Armstrong orchestra, one of the most great musicians in the history of Jazz and made iconic songs worldwide such as “What a Wonderful World.”
I would include within the studies of the schools the musical current of Jazz so that they know the history, but also encourage the learning of musical instruments such as the banjo, the ukulele, the saxophone, clarinet, so that they know that Panama made important contributions to this genre worldwide. Have jazz groups performing in the parks on Sundays so that people can have access to this genre throughout the year and not have to wait only once a year for the Panama Jazz Festival.
What do you feel our country needs to be in a better musical position to improve the perception of tourism in Panama?
“To be specific and direct: Investment, support and publications are needed. In Panama we have a very good musical product but they end up being forced to go to other places so that they can be valued and listened, I am not saying that this is the case for all but for the majority. If support was given properly, Panama would be a strong venue for music throughout the region. Proof of this enormous potential is that all the great artists come to Panama to measure the thermometer of their popularity, if they are successful here, they will also be successful in the rest of the region.”
How can Panama use music to carry our history and raise the country brand?
“That is identity, it is part of folklore in first instance, however, we also have ballads, salsa and why not, new musical trends can be created to frame our culture and history. Music is a transmitter of information and audiences are receivers. The lyrics of the songs must carry a message, but one that leads to something positive, even if it is a social complaint, do it in a way that projects solutions, all within the framework of good wording and from the positive side. History is important, it is part of the culture. It should be a trend for all artists to have musical composition alluding to how beautiful Panama is.”
You have interacted with great international musicians, how do you feel that they contribute to creating a country brand internationally?
“Definitely sharing with international musicians elevates you professionally. When they take that satisfaction, that taste, that joy, that show that was made and was successful along with the magic of music being shared, they will say I went to Panama, those who accompanied me were professionals, interesting and the Panamanian public was the best. This attracts other artists to come to our country.
As a woman you have had to make your way in an industry dominated by men, what can you suggest for women to have a leading role in tourism?
“The truth, it has not been easy, I have worked hard, learning, reconditioning myself, pointing to new directions more and more. You should always be highlighting where you are and where you have to go now.
We have to renegotiate the image of woman who have been very misused and the woman in her eagerness to be taken into account perhaps has kept silence but that is because we have lacked that internal value of knowing that we are worth it.
Panamanian women have so many good attributes that they can offer to tourism, we have our carnival queens, music performers of all genres, there is something here for everyone, you just have to be willing to position women in the best way in the music, art, crafts, customer service, sales, in all professions.”
Which song of yours would you use as an international promotional campaign for our country?
“From my discography it would definitely be the song Lipso Jazz, a fusion of Calypso with Jazz, Soca and Caribbean polka, the latter is a ballroom dance, this would be my contribution as an Afro-Panamanian and Afro-Caribbean that I have thanks to my father, who was a great Calypso singer.”
