Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Hilario Duran

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 in large quantities. In some cases, you've heard the artist before, and you've probably even enjoyed their work. This one recording puts everything in a new perspective though. Once you go back through all the artist's previous recordings, things just sound different, and you spend a great deal of time looking at the music through a new light. Listening to pianist Hilario Durán's recent release, Motion, revived my immense appreciation for his work, sending me on a compulsive trip back through his extensive musical accomplishments.

Durán's long and diverse career deserves a deeper look, which reveals a wealth of great music. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1953, Durán was surrounded by music from his father, a guitarist, and his circle of musicians. The piano became an early love in Durán's life, and he spent a great deal of his youth learning classics from jazz and Cuban pianists. As a teenager, Durán studied at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music, until the Cuban military pulled him into mandatory service in 1970. He played as part of the military band, connecting with many contemporary musicians, until he completed his required time in 1973. Durán returned to Havana and began his professional career, working as a sub with a number of orchestras. When pianist Chucho Valdes left the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna to concentrate upon Irakere, he recommended Durán as his replacement. Durán filled the large shoes left by Valdes with class and power, traveling the world and working with a number of great musicians. The job with this high profile band made Durán a well known figure on the Havana music scene, and he soon earned work as a pianist, arranger, and composer at EGREM studios. In 1981, trumpet player Arturo Sandoval invited Durán to join his band as pianist and musical director. Durán traveled the world with Sandoval, staying with the trumpet player until he left Cuban in 1990. Durán kept the remaining band members together as a working unit, calling the group Perspectiva and recording two albums. Early in the nineties, Durán began collaborating with Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett, recording and touring as a member of Bunnett's Spirits Of Havana. In addition, he recorded several albums for the Canadian label Justin Time, including Killer Tumbao and Habana Nocturna. Durán made a permanent move to Canada in 1998, becoming an important piece of the Toronto music scene. His albums New Danzon and Encuentro En La Habana made big waves, with the later receiving a JUNO Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. In 2006 Durán expanded his concept into a big band, creating the album From the Heart, which featured Paquito D'Rivera, Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez, and more. His current release, Motion, focuses upon his trio with bassist Roberto Occhipinti and drummer Mark Kelso, once again delivering a wealth of impressive music.

Durán's career includes a number of diverse experiences and some amazing music, well worth a repeat visit through his catalogue. With that in mind, today's Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to Durán's music, which will also hopefully inspire you to check out his recordings. The first video features Durán performing with a trio in Toronto, filmed in a local club, Lula's Lounge. The second clip finds Durán with Perspectiva, performing in Cuba during the nineties. The third outtake places Durán in a duet with his longtime collaborator Jane Bunnett, creating musical sparks. The last piece once again features Durán in a trio setting, this time with bassist Roberto Occhipinti and drummer Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez. All these clips represent different pieces of Durán's career, and they all include some wonderful music--enjoy!

Want to hear more from Hilario Duran? Check out these albums:

From the Heart

Encuentro En La Habana

New Danzon