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A very compelling collaboration of two internationally acclaimed Cuban jazz pianists and composers, Hilario Duran and David Virelles. This collection of piano duets features the virtuosic playing of two musicians in peak form.

The Toronto-based Duran is a towering figure in Cuban music. Over a career now spanning over 45 years, he has won three Juno Awards and earned a Grammy nomination (for 2006's From the Heart, by Hilario Durán and his Latin Big Band). His extensive discography includes work as a solo artist, and in duo, small group and big band settings, and he has also achieved distinction in the classical and chamber music worlds.

Now based in New York City after a stint in Toronto, David Virelles records as a solo artist for such labels as ECM and Pi Recordings. He has collaborated extensively with such noted musicians as Andrew Cyrille, Bill Frisell, Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, and Ravi Coltrane, and last year he won the prestigious Herb Alpert Awards in the Arts.

When ALMA head and album producer Peter Cardinali presented the concept to Hilario and David a couple of years ago, both instantly agreed. Duran explains that "this album is very special because I had the privilege to work with David. He is the most important Cuban piano player of this new generation, and now he has so much success in the New York City scene, playing with great jazz stars and doing his own projects."

30 years Hilario's junior, David Virelles had long admired Duran's music. "Growing up in Santiago de Cuba, I knew of him, and then I was introduced to a lot of his records that weren't available in Cuba through my Toronto friends Jane Bunnett and Roberto Occhipinti.

"As a bandleader, arranger, composer, and pianist, Hilario's sophistication as a musician is unparalleled and that is something I've tried to emulate. He has always been a reference point for me and for so many young Cuban musicians. When he asked me to do this I was like, 'this is perfect!'"

Media

Track Listing

Sales Points

• 3 time Juno Award winner, Grammy nominated
• EPK
• YouTube premiere day before release of long form video of entire recording session at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. Regular multiple posting and videos on all platforms throughout the life of project
• Servicing all key jazz publications, full national and regional press including online portals, blogs and websites
• Radio Promotion by Groov Marketing (Josh Ellman)
• Serving to College, Jazz, Latin, World radio and NPR
• Publicity by Don Lucoff
• Strong marketing team with emphasis on social media marketing campaigns geo-targeted to major USA markets
• Recorded, mixed and mastered in ultra hi-res 24b-192k resolution, and in Dolby Atmos
• For fans of Chucho Valdes, Bebo Valdes, Frank Emilio, Ruben Gonzalez, Roberto Fonseca, Eliseo Grenet, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Cuban and Latin Jazz, Piano Duets, Chick Corea

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 Valdes, Artist

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 Tyner, 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

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