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Hilario Duran makes a triumphant musical homecoming on his new album Contumbao. Internationally recognised as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of the highest order, the Cuban-Canadian Duran has been based in Toronto for the past two decades, but his musical heart and soul have remained closely connected to the land of his birth. Last November, Cardinali and award-winning engineer John 'Beetle' Bailey set up shop in Havana's famed EGREM recording studio, the most storied such facility on the island. This is where the young Duran had recorded hundreds of sessions as a pianist, arranger, composer and musical director, both with other artists and with his star Cuban band Perspectiva, in the '80s. "The studio has not changed since then," he says. "The vibe of the room is the most important thing and it still sounds great." An all-star cast was assembled, and Contumbao was recorded in a 10-day period Hilario describes as "very intense. There was a lot of energy at the sessions." Adding evocative and compelling musical accompaniment to Duran's fluent and expressive piano playing and compositions were guitarist (and Perspectiva bandmate) "Chicoy", bassists Jorge Reyes and Roberto Riveron, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Herndandez, "Papiosco" (congas), Pancho Amat (tres), "Changuito" (timbales), rising star Brenda Navarette (Batá and guest vocals on "Recuerdos"), and Rumberos De Cuba on two tracks. Cuban piano great Chucho Valdes makes a special guest appearance, teaming with Hilario for a thrilling piano duet on "Duo Influenciado." "I was so pleased to record with Chucho, as he was one of my biggest influences." The admiration is mutual, as Valdes recruited Hilario to arrange and compose for his band, and the pair recently performed shows in Europe featuring two pianos and an orchestra. "My musical concept with this album was to try to reach a wider audience. It is an album that can get people dancing, while those who like sophisticated music can enjoy it too."

Track Listing

Sales Points

• Regular arranger and guest performer with the WDR orchestra in Germany
• Hilario has also achieved distinction in the classical and chamber music worlds, working with The Gryphon Trio and Quartetto Gelato. He was also commissioned to write a symphony for the Toronto Symphony. 'Sinfonia' debuted in May/15
• 2005 Juno Awards Winner, Contemporary Album of the Year “New Danzon” Hilario Duran trio featuring Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez
• Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award 2007 Recipient
• 2010 Juno Awards Nomination, Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year “Motion”, Hilario Duran Trio
• National Jazz Awards: Winner, SOCAN Composer of The Year; Winner, Latin Jazz Artist of The Year; Winner, Big Band of The Year
• 2011 Juno Awards Winner, Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year “From The Heart” Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band featuring Paquito D’Rivera and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez
• 2014 Juno Award nomination, Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year 'Cuban Rhapsody'
• 2006 Juno Nomination Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year “Encuentro en la Habana” Hilario Duran and Perspectiva
• For fans of Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chico O'Farrill, Bebo Vladés, Paquito D'Rivera, Michel Camilo, Ruben Gonzalez . Danilo Perez
• 2011 Grammy Award Nomination, Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band - “From The Heart”, featuring Paquito D'Rivera and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez

Press Quotes

Hilario Durán is an unparalleled pianist, as well as being a composer and arranger of the first order... one of the greatest pianists of this 20th Century.

     —Chucho Valdés, Pianist

Hilario Durán is about the hottest pianist in any given genre, straddling jazz and Latin music, but sporting brilliance reserved for the Glenn Goulds, Eddie Palmieris, McCoy Tyners, or Oscar Petersons of this mortal world.....

     —Michael G. Nastos, allmusic

Hilario is simply one hell of a modern jazz pianist who is gifted with what old-time barrelhouse and boogie players used to call 'a left hand like God', and a fertile harmonic and melodic imagination

     —Jon Newey, Jazz Wise

Durán's signature showed itself. It is a lightning-fast right hand that darts out and ignites bursts of aural fireworks. Contrasted against jagged rhythm patterns played in the middle register, these explosions are like joyous shrieks heard at carnival ti

     —James Hale, The Ottawa Citizen

The four most important contemporary Cuban Pianists that moved Latin Jazz into the 21st Century: Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Emiliano Salvador, Hilario Duran

     —Chip Boaz, Latin Jazz Corner

Duran's piano skills are exemplary. He uses the full range of the keyboard in romantic and flowery expressions, improvising in fresh and facile ways. As much as his prowess with the keys, his compositional skills are so extraordinary that you'll want to p

     —Nancy Ann Lee, Jazz and Blues report USA

Hilario is a unique pianist, quite without peer in the realm of tumbao, the melodic bass lines that burst out of Durán's music. This killer tumbao, as it is often called, propels Durán's piano playing throughout brilliantly crafted ensemble passages where

     —Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network, USA

Durán's dazzling virtuosity is for listeners seeking to live life to its fullest; he's one of the true genius musicians in modern jazz, with a lot to say and more to come.

     —Michael G. Nastos, allmusic

His solos are always inventive, turning melodies inside out and often coming at them with a sliding, angular attack replete with single notes and ferocious chord clusters, so that they are freshened every time he touches the song

     —Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network, USA

Duran is among the creme of creme of Latin pianists...This music gets the blood pumping from the get go

     —The Whole Music Experience

A pianist and composer of remarkable virtuosity...marvelous music...

     —allaboutjazz.com

Hilario Duran is about the hottest pianist in any given genre...one of the true genius musicians in modern jazz, with a lot to say and more to come

     —The All Music Guide

This musician has something you need to hear in huge quantities....wonderful music

     —The Latin Jazz Corner

Hilario Duran continues to essay his skills as a pianist and composer of remarkable virtuosity, as he drives his creative forces to a new high

     —Jerry D'Souza, All About Jazz

Duran is a subtle cat who continually lands on intriguing stuff

     —Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer