Hilario Duran

One of Cuba's premier jazz pianists, Hilario Duran can blow you away with his knock-down left -and punches or coax you gently into a slowly unfolding melody. Trained in the rigorous music schools of Havana, he started his career with trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval playing prestigious jazz festivals throughout the world. Later, he teamed up with Canadian jazz musician Jane Bunnett to record some ground breaking Afro-Cuban jazz that incorporates folkloric elements. Now he has established himself as a first rate arranger on his own recordings. Firmly ensconced in the land of Latin Jazz, he surrounds himself with a monster rhythm section and superb soloists, juxtaposing textures tastefully as he leads his group through tricky breaks and changes.