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

With Special Guests Paquito D'Rivera and Horacio "el Negro" Hernandez

alto sax, clarinet: Paquito D'Rivera
drums: Horacio "El Negro" Hernández"
piano: Hilario Durán
bass, consiglieri: Roberto Occhipinti
guitar: Rob Piltch
timbales: Rosendo "Chendy" León
congas, bongó, batá, güiro: Joaquín Hidalgo
trumpet: Alexis Baró, Alex Kundakcioglu,
Brian Okane, Jason Logue
alto sax: John Johnson, Luis Denis, Vern Dorge
tenor sax: Quinsin Nachoff, Jeff King
baritone sax: Perry White, Pol Coussee
trombone: Alistair Kay, Phil Gray, William Carn
bass trombone: Colin Murray
vocals: Dione Taylor
strings: Recorded in Moscow with the Globalis Orchestra, conducted by Roberto Occhipinti
Arranged by Hilario Durán
Produced by Peter Cardinali

MANY THANKS TO ALMARECORDS

Review by Donna Kimura: HILARIO DURAN and His Latin Jazz Big Band - From the Heart (2006)

HILARIO DURAN and his LATIN JAZZ BIG BAND - REVIEW

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 01-Mambo influenciado

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 02-From the Heart

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 03-Habanera in Spain

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 04-Angel eyes

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 05-Paq man

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 06-T'dot cha cha cha

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 07-Moon face again

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 08-Rumba for Chano

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 09-Blem blem blem

Hilario Duran and his latin Jazz big band From the heart (2006) 10-Farewell

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

HILARIO DURAN & LA PERSPECTIVA - ENCUENTRO EN LA HABANA (2005)

"This album was recorded in my last visit to Cuba on 23 and 24 of February 2005 in the EGREM Studios, in Havana. To record an album with the former members of one of the most ambitious musical project ever had in Cuba, was always a dream. We performed as the band for Grammy winning, Trumpet player Arturo Sandoval. When Arturo moved to the United States, we named the group Perspectiva and decided continue the musical work of this band with a different musical perspective.
I tried to embrace different genres of music and influences, from Jazz to Caribbean and Cuban music with this project, all with a strong flavor of Funk and a little bit of Rock." ~ Hilario Duran

MANY THANKS TO ALMARECORDS

HILARIO DURAN - R EVIEW

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Danzon para los Amigos

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Descarga en la EGREM

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Farewell

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Gandinga y Sazon (tribute to Frank Emilio)

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Havana City

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - No more cha cha

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Perla Marina

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Perspectiva

Hilario Duran & Perspectiva - Trio influenciado

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

HILARIO DURAN TRIO - NEW DANZON (2005)

a fresh, vibrant, Latin trio recording, blending milieus and motifs of the classic Cuban musical form, "Danzon" with sophisticated be-bop voicings, and superb technical musicianship by three of the international jazz scene's most luminous artists, Cuban-born pianist Hilario Duran, versatile bassist Roberto Occhipinti and Cuban percussionist Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez.