Panama 500 is Pérez's most ambitious project to date, the furthest evolution yet of what the pianist/composer calls 'three-dimensional music.' His blend of influences makes him the ideal musical chronicler of his country's history: already a land bridge between the Americas with a vibrant indigenous culture, Panama also began to absorb European culture into its own following Balboa's arrival. Pérez similarly weaves together jazz and Pan-American folkloric traditions with influences from European classical music.