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.

Hilario’s latest releases are “New Danzon” (2005 JUNO Awards Winner), which has taken the wonderful classic Cuban music called “Danzon” to new heights (“New Danzon” melds the traditional with sophisticated Be-Bop and technical musical mastery), and “Encuentro en La Habana” recorded in Cuba, Feb. 2005, with the former members of “Perspectiva”. “Encuentro en La Habana” is a musical celebration. This CD shows the joy of the reunion, great energy, spontaneity, and creativity.