Additional Information
The University of Montreal Big Band will welcome Cuban-Canadian pianist Hilario Durán this Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Claude Champagne Hall at the UdeM Faculty of Music.
Hilario Durán is a virtuoso pianist, as well as an award-winning composer and arranger.
Throughout his long career, he has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Chucho Valdés, Arturo Sandoval, and Paquito D’Rivera, among other musicians. Our contributor Michel Labrecque discussed this very promising concert with Hilario Durán, conducted by trumpeter João Lenhari, director of the Big Band.
PAN M 360: Hilario Duran, you have recorded as much solo as in Big Band and in many other configurations. How would you describe the music you make?
Hilario Duran: It’s Cuban or Afro-Cuban jazz, but I also have classical, South American, and Caribbean influences. I’m interested in so many genres; I love mixing traditions with modern harmonies.
PAN M 360: Your latest album is called Cry Me a River, it was released in 2023, and it’s a big band album, is this a form of composition that you particularly enjoy? I imagine we’ll hear part of it during Thursday’s concert.
Hilario Duran: Yes, an 18-piece band in Toronto, where I’ve lived for 30 years. The band is made up of equal numbers of Latin American and Canadian musicians. I love arranging music for large ensembles. My friend, saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, also contributed to this album. It features standards like Dizzy Gillespie’s “Night in Tunisia” as well as original compositions.
PAN M 360: João Lenhari, what does the arrival of Hilario Durán with your Big Band represent for you; can we speak of a privilege?
Joâo Lenhari: We are very excited to welcome Hilario; he is not only a great pianist but also a great arranger. It’s wonderful for Montreal, a city of great diversity, to open itself up to a variety of musical styles. At the Faculty of Music, we already have a world music program, directed by the Cuban Julian Gutierrez. This will be a great challenge for our students, as Hilario’s arrangements are truly sophisticated.
PAN M 360: In what ways is preparing for a concert like this demanding?
Joâo Lenhari: Our young musicians work very hard. In addition to the arrangements, there’s all the feeling and the unique character of Cuban jazz, which isn’t easy for people from the North to grasp. Personally, I want to prepare my students not only for jazz, but to open their minds and ears to a wide range of music, so they can play wherever life takes them.
PAN M 360: Hilario Durán, you have the opportunity to collaborate with many famous musicians, what does it mean to you to play with student musicians?
Hilario Durán: It’s always interesting to share my knowledge. It’s a real pleasure to collaborate with Brazilian musicians like João Lenhari. Brazilians and Cubans have such rich musical cultures. We’re going to have a fantastic evening.
PAN M 360: And what will we hear this Thursday evening at the Salle Claude Champagne?
Hilario Durán: There will be a lot of material from my recent album, Cry Me A River. You’ll hear three compositions by my fellow countryman Chucho Valdés, arranged for big band by myself. We’ll also play Angelica, a piece by the late Emiliano Salvador and José Miguel Ceruto.
Joâo Lenhari: I recommend everyone listen to Cry Me a River before coming to the concert. It will set the mood. But you’ll also hear a world-class improvisational pianist, Hilario Durán! Also note that there will be a free masterclass with him on Wednesday, March 25th at 5:00 PM in the Salle Serge-Garant. If you play the piano, you should definitely attend.
PAN M 360: Thank you both! See you at Salle Claude Champagne at 7:30 pm on March 26th for the Big Band concert with Hilario Durán.
