PRESS KIT
Hilario Durán “Contumbao” · Canadian Summer Tour 2018 · Special Guest: Horacio “El Negro” Hernández
Introduction
The island of Cuba is a musical superpower, where every era has seen yet another musical revolution. Danzón, Habanera, Son, Bolero, the Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Guaracha, Conga and Salsa are the main players in this impressive international lineup; they are just some of the well-known musical styles that have emerged from Cuba. The Cuban sound has influenced the way music was played throughout the world in the 20th century and continuing right into the foreseeable future.
Tumbao is term that came from Africa and the Caribbean which means “an indescribable African sexiness or swing. Besides the attitude meaning of the word Tumbao, the origin is musical. For decades, the Cuban people have created fantastic, original music to express the joy, exuberance, passion and love life. Tumbao rhythm is part of the Afro-Cuban music and maestro Duran enjoys the Tumbao rhythm and lets that the creative energy inspires him!
Internationally recognised as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of the highest order, the Cuban-Canadian Duran has been based in Toronto for the past two decades, but his musical heart and soul have remained closely connected to the land of his birth.
The Quartet / Musicians
Highlighting the creative spectrum of Hilario’s musical career, he will be joined by a group of musicians who are in demand in a Toronto’s scene: Roberto Riverón on Bass, with more than 25 years of music making career. Percussion: Jorge Luis Torres “Papiosco”, named “The Child Prodigy” by the late Tata Güines, one of the most important Cuban percussionists. In addition, as a very special guest, this tour will be joined by the one and only, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernández.
It is a quartet performing Hilario’s diverse stylistic experiences with all his African and Cuban identities. People who have seen Hilario Durán any time know he goes above and beyond the reputation of so many great Cuban pianists.
The Music: Afro Cuban Jazz
Hilario Durán makes a triumphant musical homecoming on his new album Contumbao. The repertoire, in a quartet formation, spans the entire spectrum of Cuban music featuring his authenticity. This quartet delivers creative vision, expert musical knowledge, and respect for the tradition with an extraordinary collection of musicians providing an exciting artistic experience.
Maestro Durán recorded his new material (all original) in his native country, the island of Cuba; at the EGREM studios in Havana. On the month of June, 2018; Hilario Durán, in a quartet formation will be on the road to distribute this new material to all Canada.
The repertoire to be performed presents the return to Hilario’s roots and his ancestors. It is Afro-Cuban Jazz with elements of Bembé 6X8, Güajira and Son Montuno enriched with the Tumbao, which means a typical Cuban ostinato melody used to comping most of the styles of Cuban music.
Contumbao is a revelation, a tried, tested well-oiled machine that exudes camaraderie and sixth-sense and Durán has perfect soul mates in drummer Horacio “El Negro”, percussionist Jorge Luis “Papiosco”, and bassist Roberto Riverón. The empathy between them is not only the key to resolution; it helps take the music to an enthralling high.
People who have seen Hilario Durán any time know he goes above and beyond the reputation of so many great Cuban pianists. What are the possibilities of this show? Don’t even try to imagine, everybody should go and experience it …There’s in this performance a physical excitement and vibrancy to Afro-Cuban jazz that transcends cultural and language barriers.
Biographies of the Musicians
HILARIO DURAN: PIANO · Born into a musical family in Havana; at a young age, he attended Cuba’s Amadeo Roldan Conservatory for formal training; later on, Durán experienced the waning days of the glorious orchestras that drove musical innovation on the city’s scene. In the seventies Hilario Durán was Chucho Valdés’ chosen successor in Cuba’s most modern big band, ‘Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna’ and years later Durán leaped into trumpeter Arturo Sandoval’s band as pianist, arranger and musical director for nine years.
Since arriving in Canada, Hilario has made a name for himself; he is a multi-Canadian Juno Award winner and nominee; an American Grammy nominee; and the proud recipient of the 2007 Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award from Latin Jazz USA, for his outstanding contributions to Afro Cuban music. Cuban-Canadian Hilario Durán is a fixture on the Toronto music scene. Hilario Durán immigrated in 1998 to Canada and was named “One of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians” in 2009; in addition, Hilario has been named Best Artist of the Year by the Toronto Musician’s Association, and Vision Award winner “Premio a la Trayectoria” for his work as entrepreneur leading his company ES MI MUSICA PRODUCTIONS.
HORACIO “EL NEGRO” HERNANDEZ: DRUMS · Special Guest Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernández is regarded as one of the most talented drummers in the world. His contribution to music is immense, having recorded and performed with many bands and top class artists. This multi Grammy award winner has performed with music greats like McCoy Tyner, Michel Camilo, Carlos Santana, Stevie Winwood and notable Latin American ensembles. Among them, the Tropi-Jazz All Stars of the late Tito Puente.
He has been a driving force behind some of the most popular and influential Latin and Latin-fused music of the past two decades. El Negro’s impact extends beyond the stage and the studio. He holds an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, joining the ranks of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, William “Count” Basie, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and other legends.
JORGE LUIS TORRES “PAPIOSCO”: PERCUSSION · Jorge Luis musical career dates back from more than 20 years, first, when he was only 12, named a child prodigy and picked from a group of children to perform with the great Tata Güines.
After he graduated from the school of music, Jorge Luis started to work as a session musician performing with the cream of the cream in Cuba performing internationally and sharing stages with great musicians; one of the bands where Jorge Luis imprinted his mark was Cubanismo (2002-2006), celebrating the legacy of Cuban music; during this period, he also had the opportunity to work in the Grammy nominated CD “Greetings from Havana”. Since his move to Canada, percussionist Jorge Luis Torres has been performing/touring and recording with most of the well-known musicians in the Canadian musical scene and now has become one of the busiest percussionists in the city.
ROBERTO RIVERON: BASS · The style that defines Roberto Riverón comes from the experience within the Cuban music he has been taking since he was a child. Having established himself as a bassist, Riverón appeared with some of the finest artists of the 1990s in the island of Cuba. He graduated as a guitar and bass player from the National School of Arts (ENA) in Havana; Roberto Riverón contributed to the recording of the Latin Grammy winner album “La Rumba Soy Yo” (Haila Mompié) and the Grammy nominated “La Formula” (Isaac Delgado). Following a successful career in his native country as a leading studio and bassist, Roberto decided to move to Canada to continue his endeavor as a musician working and collaborating with as many musical projects as possible in the city, and to share his vast experience with Canadian musicians.
Hilario Durán “Contumbao” · Technical Requirements
Piano Specifications: Steinway Concert Grand, Model D Piano or similar with adjustable bench
1 x Bass Amplifier: Gallien Krueger or any small acoustic Bass with amp
Drums Specifications: Horacio “El Negro” is endorsed by Pearl Drums; the specifications are below; there are more specifications for drummer El Negro
22×16 bass drum
10×8 tom
12×8 tom
14×12 tom
16×14 tom
14×5.5 snare drum
10×6 Popcorn snare
DR503 ICON rack
PCX100 clamp x 12
CH1000 cymbal holder x 7
CH2000S cymbal holder x 2
P2002C double pedal
H2000 hi-hat stand
S2000 snare stand x 2
T2000 double tom stand
TH2000S tom arm x 2
CLH1000 closed hi-hat
D1000S drum throne
CH70 cymbal holder x 2
P2000C pedal (for PPS15)
PPS15 foot pedal bracket
PBL20 medium clave’ block
PBL30 low clave’ block
Horacio Signature Cowbells
10 x Microphones: 3 for the Drums; 2 for the Piano; 2 Mic lines for the Bass; 2 Talk microphones (for the piano)
5 Monitors and 3 Music stands
PERCUSSION SET: 2 Congas, Bongos, Timbal, Bata and Yoruba Drums, Kick, Snare
Sizes specification:
- 1 Kick- 18”
- 1 snare and stand
- 2 timbales 14” 15”
- 1 stand for bongos
- 2 cymbals stand