Alexander Abreu Manresa, a prominent Cuban trumpeter and orchestra conductor, was born on September 6, 1976, in Cienfuegos. While pursuing his musical studies in Cuban institutions, he became part of the amateur artist movement. In this project, he joined the group Ismaelillo and also a vocal group, which was directed by Rosa Campo. In 1994, he completed his musical training at the National School of Art (120th Street between 9th and 13th Streets, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana), located in Havana.

In 2000, Alexander Abreu was awarded First Prize for Best Timba Trumpeter, as a result of a competition held on one of the most important salsa websites in the world (www.timba.com). The competition also included other prominent Cuban trumpeters, such as Elpidio Chapotín, Carmelo Andrés, Juan Mungia, Julio Padrón, and others.

In 2005, he joined Grupo Danson, with whom he worked alongside Sixto Llorente (El Indio), Rolando Luna, and Jannier Rodríguez. For this group, he composed most of the original songs, including “Mi Música,” a song in which he ventured into singing.

Alexander Abreu founded his own orchestra, Havana D’ Primera, in late 2007, which he co-directs with trombonist Amaury Pérez. The group is made up of fourteen musicians.

His group’s debut album, “Haciendo historia,” was produced by the Cuban label EGREM and nominated for the 2010 CUBADISCO Award in the categories of First Work and Popular Dance Music. “Haciendo historia” was named the best in a 2009 online poll. The lyrics for the songs were written by Abreu, and the aforementioned “Despues un beso” was selected as the best of the year in France.

Alexander Abreu has participated in numerous musical events in both the Cuban and international music worlds, including the Cristal Festival, festivals in Italy, Copenhagen, Ronnie Scout, and San Sebastián de los Reyes. He has also contributed to several recordings for Cuban and international television and films, including Benny Moré, A King in Havana, and Havana Blues.

Since beginning his artistic career, Alexander has been a member of various Cuban orchestras and has shared the stage with such great figures of our music as Omara Portuondo, Paulito FG, Isaac Delgado (who was a member of his orchestra), Augusto Enrique, Irakere (a member of the latest generation of this orchestra), Gerardo Alfonso, Carlos Manuel y su Clan, Manolín el Médico de la Salsa, Cubanito 2002, Mamborama, Grupo Danson, among others. He has also played with foreign artists, including Oscar de León, Don Omar, and the Danson group. He works as an arranger and composer for the latter.

Along with Augusto Enrique and his orchestra, Pavarotti, Sting, James Brown, Pavarotti, and Andrea Bocelli, he participated in an event for the children of Africa. With the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sánchez Ferrer, Duchesne, Sergio Vitier, and Frank Fernández, he earned a Grammy nomination. With Giraldo Piloto’s Klimax, he has performed as a guest at editions of the La Fiesta del tambor Festival.

Throughout his professional career, he has not limited himself to playing the trumpet, but has also worked as an educator at the National School of Art (120th Street between 9th and 13th Streets, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana), where he served as a trumpet professor. He has also been invited to teach at the RMC Conservatory in Copenhagen. At the Danish Jazz Conservatory, as a guest, he has given master classes on trumpet and Cuban music and has participated in two of the festivals organized by the Conservatory.

He has made countless productions and recordings in Cuba and abroad, making him one of the Cuban musicians with the greatest record of recordings in Cuba. Many of these works have been nominated for Latin and American Grammys. To cite a few examples: he recorded his latest CD, 30 años, by the group Irakere; with Isaac Delgado and his Orchestra, he recorded Malecón and Versos en el cielo; with Pachito Alonso, he recorded the CD La Habana me queda chiquita; with Yumurí y sus Hermanos, the album Yumurí y sus Hermanos; with Amaury Pérez, the album Algo en común; with Miriam Ramos, Obsesión; with Los Papines, Los Papines sigue OK; with Augusto Enrique, La Bolita; the album Tribute to Juan Almeida; with Van Van, on their CDs Chapeando and Arrasando; the CD Gracias Formell (Areito); CD: Tribute to Pablo (Para Vivir) by JMI music; and the CD Volverán (They Will Return). Along with Andy Montañez, he recorded the album Amigos, nominated for a Latin Grammy, among many others.

Alexander Abreu Manresa is currently considered one of the best trumpet players in Cuban music, thanks to his hard work, having played and recorded with countless artists and orchestras.

Among the awards this young Cuban musician has received, we can mention: Latin Grammy, for the CD La Rumba soy yo and the First Prize for the best Timba trumpet player (2000).