TD Toronto Jazz Fest 35: Hilario Durán Big Band & Jane Bunnett with Bobby Carcassés

The TD Toronto Jazz Fest continues until July 3 with an incredible variety of free, outdoor programming including the 18 piece Hilario Durán Big Band on July 1st (Canada Day) and Jane Bunnett with Special Guest Bobby Carcassés on July 3, closing the festival.

Hilario Durán Big Band

July 1 | 9:00 pm | TD Main Stage – OLG Grove | FREE

In 2005, Inspired by the Cuban directors of the golden age of Cuban music, such as Bebo Valdés and Juanito Márquez, Durán formed his explosive Big Band Orchestra with Toronto’s top Canadian and Cuban musicians. The album, From The Heart, was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 and won a Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Juno Award.

With this Orchestra, Hilario Durán realizes a lifelong dream. His eighteen–piece Latin Jazz Big Band swings and bounces around the leader’s rhythmically rich compositions and arrangements. The music performed by this Orchestra blends milieus and motifs of the classic Cuban musical form. The music has been influenced by most of the traditional forms of Cuban music and the most modern contemporary harmonies.

Hilario Durán and his Latin Jazz Big Band boast Duran’s rhythmically sophisticated compositions and sensual arrangements. Hilario Durán’s extraordinary talents, influences, and passions combine to create a majestic, tradition-inspired tribute to Cuban Jazz Band Orchestras.

Jane Bunnett with Special Guest Bobby Carcassés

July 3 | 8:30 pm | TD Stage – Festival Village | FREE

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival presents Jane Bunnett with an 8-piece group which includes both her first Cuban collaborator, the legendary Bobby Carcassés (who Jane started working with 35 years ago), and her most recent – 19 year old Daniela Olano on violin and vocals.

Over the last 35 years Jane Bunnett has introduced Canadian audiences to many of the finest artists to come out of Cuba – and she performed at the first Toronto Jazz Festival in 1987.  It’s fitting to close this year’s TD Stage in Festival Village performances with Jane and her multi-generational group of Cuban Jazz Masters.

Jane Bunnett: Soprano Sax and Flute; Dánae Olano: Piano and Vocals; Paco Luviano: Bass; Amado Dedeu Sr.: Vocals and Percussion; Amado Dedeu Jr.: Vocals and Percussion; Daniela Olano: Vocals and Violin; Luis Orbegoso: Vocals and Percussion. Special Guest: Bobby Carcassés.