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Hilario Duran

A 2003 JUNO Award Nominated Artist for his Havana Remembered CD, and a 2005 JUNO Award Winner for his New Danzon CD, Hilario Durán, Pianist, Composer, Bandleader and Arranger of the first order, is one of the greatest virtuoso Jazz pianists emerging from Havana, Cuba.

Hilario Durán was a member of the Arturo Sandoval's band for nine years (1981-1990). As a composer, arranger and producer, as well as a performer—playing both piano and keyboard- he toured at major Jazz Festivals around the world, sharing stages with legendary musicians such as the late Dizzy Gillespie, and composer/arranger Michael Legrand.

In 1990, Hilario formed his own band “Perspectiva” which toured successfully through Latin America and Europe. One year later, Hilario participated as a pianist in Jane Bunnett’s JUNO Award Winner CD “Spirits of Havana”. In 1995, following a successful European tour with his band “Perspectiva”, Durán decided the time was then right for him to pursue his solo career, allowing him more scope to follow the many different areas of his musical interests.

After two internationally released solo albums, “Francisco’s Song” (1996), and “Killer Tumbao” (1997, featuring a hosts of Cuban musical giants as Tata Güines and Changüito), Hilario Durán decided to move to Canada with his family and released the “Habana Nocturna” album, “...a round" trip ticket from Cuban music to Jazz and back...”

Since his move to Canada, Hilario Durán has become an integral and important part of the Canadian music scene. He is an invaluable member of the Jazz Faculty at Humber College, acting as both and adjunct Piano Professor and Ensemble Director. Hilario has appeared internationally with a variety of performance groups, including an appearance at “The Modern Drummer Festival” with Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, John Patitucci, and Michael Brecker. Also, a memorable performance at “The Barranquilla Jazz Festival” in Colombia, in 2001, as well as engagements with an “All"Stars” band that included heavy-weight musicians Dave Valentin, Juan Pablo Torres, John Benitez, and “Patato” Valdés. Durán also performed in October 2002 (as a pianist and composer) with saxophonist Paquito D’ Rivera, violinist Regina carter and the living legend Brazilian singer Leny Andrade, joined by “The World Festival Orchestra” New Jersey Performing Arts Center (N.P.C.A.C)

Hilario is currently working as a composer with the classical ensembles of Gryphon Trio, and Quartetto Gelato.

In 2005, Hilario formed his explosive Big Band Orchestra with top Canadian and Cuban musicians in Toronto, being one of the highlights of the "Distillery Jazz Festival”, “Autoworkers Assembly Hall Big Band Festival”, in Port Elgin, and “Sound of Toronto Jazz Series”, critically acclaimed by the press.

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Play This!

Hilario Durán and his Latin Jazz Big Band: Cry Me A River

Read "Hilario Durán and his Latin Jazz Big Band: Cry Me A River" reviewed by John Chacona


Believe it or not, people were writing kiss-off songs long before Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake. This one was made famous by the unjustly neglected Julie London in 1955, but you've never heard it done like this before. jny: Havana-born pianist Hilario Duran arranged this title song from a 2023 recording on his own Alma Records label as a roaring son montuno for big band. Thanks to a fervent lead vocal and searing violin solo from Elizabeth Rodriguez, this venerable ...

5
Album Review

Hilario Duran: Cry Me A River

Read "Cry Me A River" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Hilario Durán is a renowned Cuban-Canadian jazz pianist and composer known for contributing to Latin jazz. He does not release big band efforts often, but with the release of Cry Me A River, he has reconstituted his Latin Jazz Big Band to take us on an extraordinary musical journey, effortlessly blending myriad genres into his singular style. Durán's Afro-Caribbean cultural attachment informs the nine works of both originals and covers in this outing, resulting in a unique tapestry of sound. ...

5
Live Review

Hilario Durán At Telus Centre

Read "Hilario Durán At Telus Centre" reviewed by Alain Londes


Hilario Durán and his Latin Jazz Big BandTelus Centre for Performance and LearningToronto, Canada February 9, 2019A “dream concert" is how Hilario Durán characterized the show featuring his Latin Jazz Big Band and the great drummer Horacio “El Negro" Hernández. Cuban-born piano great Durán settled in Canada in the mid-nineties and has continuously broadened the horizons for many concerning the rich musical traditions permeating Cuba. This performance was a perfect example of an educational showcase ...

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Album Review

Hilario Duran Trio: Motion

Read "Motion" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Hilario Duran continues to essay his skills as a pianist and composer of remarkable virtuosity on Motion. The compositions open a vista of stylistic opportunities, into which he delves with relish and focus, as he drives his creative forces to a new high. Duran's father, Hilario Duran Sr., was part of the “Movimiento del 'Feeling'" (The Feeling Movement) in Cuba, and regularly met with other musicians including Omara Portundo. The younger Duran, who began playing the piano by ...

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Extended Analysis

Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band: From the Heart

Read "Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band: From the Heart" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band From the Heart Alma Records 2008

Anyone who heard the explosive band put together by multi-instrumentalist Arturo Sandoval shortly after he broke away from the seemingly indivisible Irakere would probably remember the ubiquitous young gentleman at the piano. He was the one with the propulsive attack that featured a left hand like God in a Cuban descarga, abetted by the lightening fast right hand with darting ...

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Album Review

Hilario Duran and His Latin Jazz Big Band: From The Heart

Read "From The Heart" reviewed by Edward Blanco


One of the premier exponents of Latin jazz, the Cuban-born, Toronto-based pianist extraordinaire Hilario Duran realizes a lifelong dream by making his first big band recording, which came, as the title implies, truly From The Heart. Joined by two other jazz greats from the island, celebrated saxophonist/clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera and drummer Horacio “El Negro Hernandez, Duran's twenty-piece Latin Jazz Big Band swings and bounces all around the leader's rhythmically rich compositions and arrangements.

It would be unfair to ...

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Contest

Announcing the Winners of the "Alma Records - 3-CD" Giveaway

Announcing the Winners of the "Alma Records - 3-CD" Giveaway

Source: Michael Ricci


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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 4)

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 4)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz

A strong Latin Jazz bandleader carries a specific set of tools that guide them through their multiple responsibilities; the best bandleaders make these skills look natural, but they are actually learned over time. Any good leader spends years, and sometimes decades, as a sideman behind multiple artists. They work hard, watch the masters, learn the necessary inside information, and take notes about their role within the group. The more diverse experiences that any young sideman encounters will broaden their bag ...

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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 3)

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 3)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz

There are many potential elements that can constitute a successful and inspired Latin Jazz career, but one thing is guaranteed—constant change. A creative individual rarely stays on one artistic track for too long during their career, it's simply not in their nature. They might shift between different artistic directions at several points during their career, taking the opportunity to explore various aspects of their musical interests. Their prime collaborators often change throughout the course of their career, taking them between ...

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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 2)

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 2)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz

Lots of experiences can help push a musicians to greater heights during their artistic careers, but nothing beats the opportunity to play with accomplished veterans. Private studies, individual practice, and time with classic recordings all give the musician important tools, but the limited interaction associated with these activities only yields certain results. Time on the bandstand with top musicians creates a school unto itself, full of unbelievable benefits. Musicians get immediate feedback on their performances—from direct conversation to telling eye ...

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Interview

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 1)

Latin Jazz Conversations: Hilario Duran (Part 1)

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz

Sometimes an activity grabs our passions so completely that it becomes an obsession, capturing every last ounce of our attention. Regardless of our previous priorities and commitments, once we discover that all encompassing passion, we head out onto an unstoppable path. All of our time and energy goes into that one activity, as we constantly seek a stronger connection and a greater understanding. In some cases, our intense interest turns out to be a passing fad, and it soon becomes ...

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Contest

Enter the Alma Records 3-CD Giveaway!

Enter the Alma Records 3-CD Giveaway!

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Alma Records 3-CD giveaway contest starting today. Five winners will win all three CD's listed below at the conclusion of the contest on September 4th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following Hilario Duran at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Alma Records

Hilario Duran—Motion

One of Hilario's major creative partners has been dynamic Cuban trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval. In 1981, ...

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Video / DVD

Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Hilario Duran

Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Hilario Duran

Source: The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz

There's a lot of great Latin Jazz out there, but sometimes an album hits you so hard, it just leaves you with one question--why haven't I been listening to this artist constantly? Many musical factors might pull your attention into a stranglehold--it might be instrumental virtuosity, improvisational daring, cleverly structured compositions, or even a combination of several musical pieces. A clear definition often escapes your understanding; you just know that this musician has got something that you need to hear ...

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Performance / Tour

Hilario Duran and Friends at Town Hall (Seattle)

Hilario Duran and Friends at Town Hall (Seattle)

Source: Seattle Jazz Scene

Hilario Duran and Friends, Featuring the Duran/Schloss/Mitri Trio and Charanga Danzon Friday, May 8, 2009 at 8 p.m. Town Hall Seattle All ages welcome. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. A rare opportunity to see Cuban virtuoso Hilario Duran in concert with the Duran/Schloss/Mitri Trio and Seattle s own Cuban music ensemble Charanga Danzon at Town Hall Seattle. Once the pianist, composer and arranger with Arturo Sandoval s band in Cuba (1981-1990), Hilario Duran is now ...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Cry Me A River

Alma Records
2023

buy

Motion

Alma Records
2010

buy

From The Heart

Alma Records
2006

buy

Cry Me A River

From: Cry Me A River
By Hilario Duran

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