Promotions
Hilario Durán – Introducing New Album “Contumbao”
Hilario Durán makes a triumphant musical homecoming with his newest album, “Contumbao.” Internationally recognized as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of the highest order, the Cuban-Canadian has been based in Toronto for the past two decades. However, his musical heart and soul have remained closely connected to the land of his birth.
With his mission to create another compelling entry to his already a rich and rewarding discography, Hilario returned to Cuba last November, to record in Havana’s famed EGREM recording studio, with his long time musical friends such as Chucho Valdes, Horacio “El Negro”, Pancho Amat and more.
Hilario Durán’s “Contumbao” explores the entire spectrum of Cuban music with the authenticity and vibrancy of Durán’s unique musical vision.
On this much-anticipated solo release, the multi-JUNO-winning pianist and composer highlights the richness of Afro-Cuban jazz and makes a major contribution to the genre.
“The music of Hilario Durán has become a supreme means of romantic self-expression, but whereas his great contemporary Chucho Valdés used the piano to create almost heroic self-portraits and vast panoramas, Hilario Durán is more of a sublime introvert and a miniaturist, infusing conventional forms such as the Bolero and the Danzón with an intimacy and an emotional intensity that can only be described as ‘the poetry of feeling’. This pervades all of the glorious music on Contumbao and while Hilario Durán puts an emphasis on long unbroken lines in the right hand his left hand backs them up with devastatingly intense bass lines – heard to great effect in, for instance, the especially poetic slow movements of “Guajira 2016”. What marks them out as uniquely his own is the way Mr Durán decorates a simple phrase not as ornament for ornament’s sake but as the expression of deeply felt emotion. “Duo Influenciado” towards the end of the disc captures all of this in an exquisite duo performance with Chucho Valdés, incidentally one of Mr Durán’s greatest admirers, as it also draws an invisible line between the styles of the respective grandmasters.” — Raul da Gama, Senior Writer, Latin Jazz Network
- Official website: https://hilarioduran.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilariodurantorres/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HilarioDuran
- Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarioduran
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilario.duran/
- Amazon: Hilario Durán – Buy his music on amazon.com
Hilario Durán – Biography
Cuban born Hilario Durán grew up in Havana in a musical family surrounded by a variety of diverse musical influences on a daily basis. He began working as a professional musician in Cuba’s Los Papa Cun-Cun Ensemble and in a variety of musical formats. Later on, in the 70’s, Durán was Chucho Valdés’ chosen successor in Cuba’s most modern big band, Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna.
Hilario Durán toured worldwide and performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Michel Legrand, among many others, as part of Arturo Sandoval’s band where he was pianist/keyboardist, arranger and musical director for 9 years.
Chucho Valdés has acknowledged Hilario Durán as one of the greatest Cuban pianists of the 20th century, calling the Grammy-nominated and multi JUNO-award winner “an unparalleled pianist, composer and arranger of the first order”.
After making his mark in Cuba, Durán continued to hone his skills as a pianist, composer, arranger and musical director of remarkable virtuosity. 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; a multi-Canadian National Jazz Award winner & 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 Jazz and Latin Jazz.
Cuban-Canadian jazz pianist Hilario Durán is a fixture on the Toronto music scene. Durán immigrated in 1998 to Canada and was named as One of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2009; in addition, Hilario has been named Best Artist of the Year 2013 by the Toronto Musicians’ Association and also as 2014 Best Vision Award Winner (Premio a la Trayectoria) for his work as entrepreneur as a director of his musical company, ES MI MUSICA PRODUCTIONS. He is also an educator at Toronto’s Humber College, acting as a piano teacher and ensemble director.
Hilario Durán 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. He has continued to collaborate with Cuban musicians, but he takes this to another level on Contumbao. Last November, Alma Records’ Peter Cardinali and award-winning engineer John ‘Beetle’ Bailey accompanied Durán to Havana, and the team set up shop in Cuba’s famed EGREM recording studio, the most storied such facility on the island. The cast of musical heavyweights assembled in Havana work their magic on 11 new Durán original compositions. Hilario’s mission is certainly fulfilled here, as Contumbao has an impressive dynamic range of different tempos, tones and moods.
Latin Grammy nominee Estrella Acosta expands her artistic reach with Caminos – A Latin American Landscape. Recorded with her Amsterdam-based ensemble, Esquina 25, the album is a vibrant exploration of “music without borders,” bridging the gap between Cuban roots and the diverse traditions of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and beyond.
Acosta’s vision traces a musical map across the continent, blending Afro-Caribbean grooves with Brazilian lyricism and Peruvian rhythms. From intimate duos to the expansive sound of a full band with special guests, the recording offers a wide variety of creative arrangements. This project isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a living dialogue that connects cultures through a shared musical language.
Whether you’re drawn to intricate jazz compositions or infectious rhythms that invite you to dance, Caminos provides a captivating journey through the soul of Latin America. Experience a landscape where tradition meets innovation in one seamless, borderless performance.
• FEATURED VIDEOS •
• SELECTED QUOTES •
“…Balancing the sophistication of jazz with the warmth and rhythmic energy of Latin American music… Acosta has a smooth yet commanding presence, and her vocals give the album a feeling of intimacy even when the music becomes lively and exuberant… Contemporary Latin jazz that is polished and accessible, but still full of the distinctive rhythmic and emotional character of Latin American music… an album of warmth, movement, and atmosphere.”
– Acacia Grace (All About Jazz)
“The new album by Cuban-Dutch singer Estrella Acosta opens with familiar sounds— jazzy Cuban vibes, just as we’ve come to expect from her previous CDs. Her longtime partners-in-crime, pianist Marc Bischoff and reed player Efraïm Trujillo, are still on board, so the instrumental quality is top-notch. Immediately, the first surprise arrives, as the second track kicks off with the feather-light swing so characteristic of Brazilian bossa nova. … In
Nevando en Camagüey, the rhythm section—drummer Enrique Firpi and double bassist Samuel Ruiz—steps up, delightfully delivering angular breaks and punchy accents. When the backing vocals join the fray, Acosta takes flight, her voice soaring joyfully above the beautiful, spirited interplay. … Stylistically more varied than previous albums, yet bearing the same
unmistakable signature of craftsman/womanship that has been honed and refined in friendship over the years…”
– Ton Maas (MixedWorldMusic.com)
“What happens when an artist maps an entire continent through song? For Amsterdam-based, Cuban-born vocalist and Latin Grammy nominee Estrella Acosta, the result is Caminos – A Latin American Landscape (released May 2026). Backed by her formidable, long-standing ensemble Esquina 25, Acosta crafts a spectacular musical map tracing the folk traditions of Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is a stunning showcase of what she calls music without borders.”
– Danilo Navas (LatinJazzNet.com)
“I enjoyed every note of the CD… very fresh arrangements and your voice fits them perfectly. I loved the work of the tresero, as well as the bassist, the guitarist, the tenor player and the rhythm section, very delicious.”
Paquito D’Rivera (multiple Grammy-winning clarinetist/saxophonist)
“Estrella Acosta has pulled it all together on this very special recording: heartfelt and unique vocal interpretations, an incredible team of musicians, and stunning arrangements. She has brought new life to many of Cuba’s forgotten great women composers by uncovering many musical gems with a new and fresh approach.”
Jane Bunnett (Canadian artist, multiple Juno Award winner and Grammy nominee)
“The delightful whimsy of Ms. Acosta’s interplay with the saxophone of Efraim Trujillo and the piano of the incomparable Marc Bischoff also adds to the marvellous aesthetic of this music. The supple bass playing of Samuel Ruiz throughout, and the masterful rhythmic colours of Enrique Firpi make this music so memorable that you will want to return to it frequently.”
– Raul da Gama (LatinJazzNet.com)
• PHOTO GALLERY •
Click on thumbnails to enlarge
• LISTEN TO “CAMINOS – A LATIN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE” •
• WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA •
WEBSITE: https://estrellaacosta.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/estrellaacostamusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/estrella.acosta.music/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@estrellaacosta7061
BANDCAMP: https://estrellaacosta.bandcamp.com/
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/estrellaacosta
• CONTACT •
EMAIL: estrella@xs4all.nl
In 2025, Amsterdam-based band Estrella Acosta & Esquina 25 celebrate their 20 years of playing together! They will be touring to commemorate this anniversary and would love to make you part of their festivities
Marc Bischoff (piano)
Efraim Trujillo (saxes/flute)
Samuel Ruiz (double bass)
Enrique Firpi (drums)
Estrella Acosta (vocals)
Guest TBA (percussion)
Latin GRAMMY® 2023 nominee Estrella Acosta is an acclaimed vocalist known for her captivating performances and deep connection to her Cuban roots. In Esquina 25, Acosta has assembled a group of international musicians based in The Netherlands who artfully combine Afro-Cuban music and Latin jazz with modern arrangements and playful creativity.
Drawing inspiration from the rich musical heritage of her motherland, and especially the works of its female composers, they play a program featuring music from their nominated album ‘Tierra’, with songs deeply rooted in the music of the Cuban countryside, known as ‘música guajira’, including her own compositions. Thanks to the creative collaboration of all musicians and arrangers, the band has crafted a repertoire with a distinctive character, in which elements like improvisation and jazz harmonies meet Cuban tradition.
Performances at festivals like North Sea Jazz, World Music Chicago and Canada’s Sunfest have brought them international acclaim. Their music is described as “a happy transatlantic party that takes off and soars”.
• FEATURED VIDEOS •
• SELECTED QUOTES •
“I enjoyed every note of the cd… very fresh arrangements and your voice fits them perfectly. I loved the work of the tresero, as well as the bassist, the guitarist, the tenor player and the rhythm section, very delicious.”
Paquito D’Rivera (multiple Grammy winning clarinetist/saxophonist)
“Digging deeper, Estrella has bypassed classic tunes for songs off the beaten path that, like their authors, clamor for greater recognition… For her dedication to showcasing hidden gems in the songbook of her country of origin, Estrella Acosta deserves the appreciation of Cuban music lovers, not only in the Netherlands, her home base, but the world over.”
Nat Chediak, author of ‘Diccionario de Jazz Latino’ and Grammy winning music producer
“Estrella Acosta has pulled it all together on this very special recording: heartfelt and unique vocal intrepretations, an incredible team of musicians, and stunning arrangements. She has brought new life to many of Cuba’s forgotten great women composers by uncovering many musical gems with a new and fresh approach.”
Jane Bunnett, Canadian artist, multiple Juno Award winner and Grammy nominee
“The delightful whimsy of Ms. Acosta’s interplay with the saxophone of Efraim Trujillo and the piano of the incomparable Marc Bischoff also adds to the marvellous aesthetic of this music. The supple bass playing of Samuel Ruiz throughout, and the masterful rhythmic colours of Enrique Firpi make this music so memorable that you will want to return to it frequently.”
– Raul da Gama, LatinJazzNet.com
“A project that pays tribute to the deepest roots of Cuban popular music. Sound imbued with the authentic fringes of the Guajiro-Sonero flavor in fusion with echoes of jazz and Afro-Caribbean cadences, in orchestrations of singular harmonic consonance.”
– Carlos Olivares Baró, La Razón, Mexico
“The seven songs, including three of her own, receive an emphatically jazz-tinged treatment with room for improvisation and soloistic excursions, especially by pianist Marc Bischof and saxophonist/flutist Efraim Trujillo. In addition, the sophisticated arrangements full of surprising breaks and twists provide extra listening pleasure.”
– Ton Maas, MixedWorldMusic.com
“Because Estrella Acosta is seasoned in the Latin American music tradition, this album sounds like a bell: it swings, introduces you to the Cuban music tradition, gives you a sense of ‘joie de vivre’ through the mixture of Cuban and jazz music and… gives you a new view on this special mix that was initiated by American jazz musicians in the 1940s and is now given a new handle by Estrella Acosta’s approach.”
– Rinus van der Heijden, JazzNu.com
• PHOTO GALLERY •
click on thumbnails to enlarge
• LISTEN TO THE LATIN GRAMMY® NOMINATED ALBUM “TIERRA” •
• WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA •
WEBSITE: https://estrellaacosta.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/estrellaacostamusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/estrella.acosta.music/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@estrellaacosta7061
BANDCAMP: https://estrellaacosta.bandcamp.com/
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/estrellaacosta
• CONTACT •
EMAIL: estrella@xs4all.nl
Marlon Simon and The Nagual Spirits return with the ambitious new album On Different Paths, blending a myriad of cultural and musical traditions. A Truth Revolution Records release, On Different Paths features pianist Edward Simon, trumpeters Michael Simon and Alex Norris, saxophonist Peter Brainin, bassist Boris Kozlov and percussionist Roberto Quintero.
You can buy this acclaimed album directly from his creator at https://marlonsimon.com/online-store. Your purchase will contribute to keep the music alive and will support the artist directly, without intermediaries. GET YOUR COPY NOW!
JazzWax Review by Marc Myers
“The album is Latin jazz, but it’s way more than that. The album is loaded with a wide range of rhythms, jazz feel and tenderness… The Latin jazz on this album is unlike any you’ve heard before. Marlon’s original compositions seem to evolve organically, shifting moods and rhythms as they flower. The music is truly extraordinary.”
Modern Drummer Magazine Review
“The drum and percussion world should be much more aware of Marlon Simon, he is a master drummer, percussionist, and composer. And all of these components have never been on better display than on the record On Different Paths. Bassist Boris Koslov and pianist Edward Simon round out the rhythm section and guide us through eleven deeply emotional compositions. The Venezuelan drummer leaves more space than his contemporaries, but his sense of space is impeccable.”
LatinJazzNet Review by Brooks Geiken
In eleven tracks Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits explore a captivating and superbly imagined outing, On Different Paths. Marlon and his brothers Edward and Michael, all born in Venezuela, all composers, all esteemed instrumentalists, join together to delve into a sonic world with ties to jazz, European classical and world music. Having some experience with Edward’s piano playing through recordings with Charlie Sepulveda, SF Jazz Collective and his band with Scott Colley and Brian Blade, Steel House, I was somewhat prepared for On Different Paths. What I was unprepared for is the composing and drumming of Marlon taking the listener into some delightful and brilliant textures.
Jazziz Magazine Review by Matt Micucci
“On Different Paths is the fifth album from drummer, percussionist and composer Marlon Simon with his eclectic ensemble, The Nagual Spirits. Partly funded by Simon’s 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship, this bold new project propels beyond the innovative fusion of pan-Latin jazz and classical elements found in their earlier works, embracing a captivating blend of diverse cultural and musical traditions.”
Paris-Move Review by Thierry De Clemensat
“On Different Paths is an important, essential album that, beyond its cultural inspirations, serves as a note of hope, a form of renewal, a ray of sunshine in the heart of a winter that greatly needs it. Without hesitation, the editorial teams of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris Move have placed this album in the stack of Essentials.”
-
25 Most Read Posts12 years agoJuan García-Herreros “Snow Owl” – Normas
-
25 Most Read Posts14 years agoEdy Martínez, the Music Architect Behind the Piano
-
25 Most Read Posts16 years agoRaphael Cruz Reaffirms His Commitment To Latin Jazz!
-
25 Most Read Posts11 years agoRubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Son de Panamá