This famous Cuban jazz pianist and his trio approach the sound of a complete latin big band. Hilario Durán has played with among others Paquito D’Rivera and Dizzy Gillespie.

Cuban pianist/composer Hilario Durán makes his instrument sound like an orchestra and this virtuoso style makes him a favorite of legendary compatriot Chucho Valdés. His trio with double bassist Roberto Occhipinti and drummer Mark Kelso fuses jazz with essential Cuban rhythms like rumba en son.

In the seventies Hilario Durán was Chucho Valdés’ chosen successor in Cuba’s most modern big band, Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, which also contained members of the future group Irakere. In the eighties Durán worked with Arturo Sandoval and Dizzy Gillespie and made his international breakthrough.

In the nineties he migrated to Canada where he leads his Latin Jazz Big Band. He has performed with musicians as varied as Michel Legrand and Michael Brecker. The Hilario Durán Trio features double bassist Roberto Occhipinti, the anchor of many classical, jazz- and Latin ensembles, and Mark Kelso, one of the world’s best Latin drummers.

‘Coming very close to sounding like a Latin jazz big band. This is quite a feat for a trio’ (Jazz Times).

The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 till 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).

AFRO CUBAN JAZZ

Hilario Durán piano, Roberto Occhipinti bas, Mark Kelso drums