Internationally-acclaimed multi-award-winning Cuban-born jazz pianist, composer, arranger and producer Hilario Durán is one of Canada’s premier exponents of Latin jazz.

Born into a musical family, he started playing piano at the age of eight, and went on to study at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music. He was a pianist, arranger, composer and musical director at the renowned EGREM Recording Studio in Havana, working with artists such as Omara Portuondo and Silvio Rodriguez. Mr. Durán was also the pianist and arranger for the acclaimed Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Their international touring included performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Michel Legrand and John Faddis.

Since moving to Toronto with his family in 1998 he has immersed himself in the local music community. Mr. Durán holds the position of Adjunct Piano Professor and Ensemble Director at Toronto’s Humber College, where he has been instrumental in training and inspiring a new generation of jazz artists.

BIO

Hilario Duran was born in Havana, Cuba in 1953. Like many Cuban musicians, Hilariowas born into a musical 

familysurrounded by a variety of diverse musical influences on a daily basis.

The Duran household was filled with sounds of his family’s diverse record collectionthat included everything from 

classical, jazz, and popular music from all over the world. 

Hilario Duran, joined Arturo Sandoval’s band for nine years (1981–1990) as a Composer, Arranger and Producer as well

as playing both Piano and Keyboard touring at major Jazz Festivals around the world, sharing stages with

legendary musicians such 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”, Duran decided the time was now right for him to pursue his solo

career, allowing him more scope to follow the many different areas of his musical interests.

Since his move to Canada, Hilario Duran has become an integral and important part of the Canadian music scene, and he is

an invaluable member of the Jazz Faculty at Humber College, acting as both and adjunct Piano Professor and Ensemble

Director.

DISCOGRAPHY

From the Heart (Alma) 2006
Encuentro en la Habana (Alma) 2005
New Danzon (Alma) 2004

Havana Remembered (Somerset Entertainment) 2001

Habana Noctirna (Justin TIme) 1999

Killer Tumabo (Justin Time) 1997

Francisco's Song (Justin Time) 1996

Club Mambo (Solitude) 2000
Buscando Cuerdas (Egrem) 1994
Tiembla Tierra (Egrem) 1990
Los de Siempre (Egrem) 1978
La Gran Timba del Caribe (Egrem) 1978
Habana 9 pm (Egrem) 1976