Contumbao Hilario Dúran

• 1 Contumbao 04:26
• 2 Guajira 2016 04:40
• 3 Pilón Influenciado 05:47
• 4 Recuerdos 04:46
• 5 Papiosco's Match 04:10
• 6 El Tahonero 05:31
• 7 Los Muñecos 04:37
• 8 Parque 527 05:58
• 9 Segundo Encuentro 04:24
• 10 Duo Influenciado 06:29
• 11 Rumba de Cajón (leke-leke) 04:06
• 12 Danzón Farewell (Danzón de la Partida) 04:18
• Total Runtime 59:12

Info for Contumbao

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, Peter 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.''

„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, AMG)

Hilario Durán
One of Hilario's major creative partners has been dynamic Cuban trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval. In 1981, Sandoval formed his own group. Hilario was an integral part of this dynamic ensemble, acting as composer, arranger and producer, as well as playing both piano and electric keyboard. This popular and innovative group performed at major international jazz festivals and venues for more than a decade - sharing stages with legendary musicians such as the late Dizzy Gillespie and composer/arranger Michel Legrand.

In 1990, Hilario felt that it was time to form his own group, aptly titled "Perspectiva". The musically innovative ensemble performed to packed and enthusiastic crowds throughout Latin America and Europe. In addition, "Perspectiva" released two critically-acclaimed CDs, Tiembla Tierra and Buscando Cuerdas. A year later, Hilario made another creative connection that has brought him to international attention. As a member of Canadian multi-saxophonist Jane Bunnett's "Spirits of Havana", he performed in concert, and on the recording of the same name � which subsequently won the Juno Award for Best Latin Jazz Recording. Always looking to stretch his creative boundaries, Hilario Duran released his first solo piano CD, Francisco's Song in 1996 on the Montreal-based "Justin Time" record label. A follow-up project for "Justin Time", Killer Tumbao, was released in 1997, and featured an array of Cuban musical giants, including legendary percussionists Changuito and Tata Guines. The CD was a huge hit, garnering raves for critics and the public alike, as well as a saturation of airplay in both Canada and the U.S. 1998 was a year of transition and creativity for Hilario Duran. After re-locating to Canada with his family, he released Habana Nocturna, which noted author Nat Chediak referred to as "A landmark album of Cuban jazz in the 90's".

Since his move to Canada, Hilario Duran has become an integral and important part of the Canadian music scene, and is a invaluable member of the jazz faculty at Humber College, acting as both an adjunct piano professor and ensemble director. He has continued to work in collaboration with Jane Bunnett, appearing on a number of her recordings, and has also acted as a composer, arranger and pianist for both feature films and animated cartoons. In 2000 and 2001, Hilario 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 Columbia, as well as engagements with an "All Star" band that included heavy-weight musicians Dave Valentin, Juan Pablo Torres, John Benitez, and "Patato" Valdes. In 2001, he formed a cooperative Quartet with his long-time musical brother, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums, Carlos del Puerto, Jr. on bass and Roberto Vizcaino on percussion.

With his most recent release, From The Heart , Hilario has realized his long life dream. A showcase for the cuban born, Toronto-based musician's love for his native country's seminal Jazz Band Orchestras, this recording features Duran's rhythmically sophisticated compositions and sensual arrangements written for his exciting 20-piece Latin Jaz Big Band. It features Grammy Award winning jazz great Paquito D'Rivera and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, along with a who's who of Canadian jazz greats.

Booklet for Contumbao