Born in Cienfuegoes, Alexander Abreu graduated form the Escuela de Arte De Havana in 1994 and began to play trumpet with some of the greatest Cuban orchestras and musicians, and began to tour with the likes of Irakere, Paulito FG , Omara Portunda, Issac Delgado, playing on the grammy winning album La Rumba Soy in 2001.
Five years ago, Abreu decided he had to return to Cuba to make great Cuban muisc, so he left Denmark to realise his dream of creating a world class orchestra with a new sound. He gathered some of the Island's top musicians to create Habana D' Primera and proceeded to set Havana on fire with his new angle on Timba. His music captures the soul of the 1990's Timba enfused with jazz, Reggaeton , Son Salsa, pop and funk.
His first Album ' Haciendo Historio ' , and his regular heaving Matinees on a Tuesday at Casa de la Musica have really put him firmly on the map and everyone in Cuba would agree, they have certainly earned their name, Habana D primera . His second Album, recently released , Passaporte is a phenomenal hit world wide, packed with a whole range of different Salsa styles and moods, and his latest video, ' Al fin de la Vida ' recently won Best Dance Video in Cuba at the Lucas awards .
In concert, his electric charisma and ability to bring his audience to an ecstatic frenzy is overwhelming. However, what i love about his sound is how his musicianship shines through his vocals to create a unique percussive tone , enhanced with his heightened improvisational relationship with his band of brothers. Their bond is breathtaking.
I had the privilege to direct and produce Alexander / Habana D' primera in Al fin de la vida video, and was captivated by how how he creates his lyrics from writing poems , works with his musicians collectively as a team in the recording studio and his generosity of spirit as a man.
Busy performing in Havana last week, he generously managed squeeze me in for a short interview, to give those of you who are looking forward to his first concert here in the UK, an insight to the man behind the brilliant music of Habana d' Primera.
Kerry Ribchester - I describe you to everyone as the Louis Armstrong of Cuban Timba, with an iconic talent and a huge heart. How would you describe yourself?
Alexander Abreu - As the creator of a new style of Cuban Music.
KR - What has been the most magical moment of your career so far?
AA - To have played with Chu Chu Valdes and Irakere, as a trumpeter, this was the highest privilege possible for me.
KR - I heard that you once lived in Denmark. How was it for you living outside of Cuba and why did you go back?
AA - I wasn’t there that long, but it was a great opportunity to see how the music business functions in the commercial world. I came back home to Cuba as it is the best place, and the easiest country for my music to flourish and develop.
KR -  What are you looking forward to most about your first trip to England and your concerts in London and Manchester?
AA -  To be honest, I’m a little nervous, as all the artists here in Cuba will asking me how did it go ? However, I’m very positive and confident that everyone who attends will leave with a huge smiles on their faces and will have special memories that they were part of a great concert.
KR - What is your greatest passion as an artist ; to be a producer, composer, singer or trumpeter?
AA -  With Havana d’ Primera I have realised my dream as a producer. It's really a beautiful experience to produce music that has been inspired by me and has been brought into reality just as i imagined. It moves me to sing my songs to people in many countries, and to and see their emotion and gratitude in their eyes. However, the trumpet is my life, it is the root of everything, and my experience as a trumpet player is what has stamped Habana d’ Primera with our distinctive sound .
KR - Your songs are full of rich insights and commentaries on life, often with a message of support to the Cuban people. What inspires you to write such profound lyrics?
AA -  LIFE !
KR -  When you are performing what passes through your mind and how do you feel in these intense moments when the crowd is ecstatic ?
AA -  The only thoughts I have are about the satisfaction of the audience and how they are feeling. I’m usually sweating buckets with the intensity of the shows.
KR - Where do you see Habana d’Primera in five years’ time ?
AA -  I don’t like to predict the future , as everyone knows life is really a great enigma. I have lived magical moments, and right now, I concentrate on really living in the present which is as they say, a gift from God, that's why we call it the present. I have so much music in my head which I trust will one day be received by the hearts of those that need to hear it. I have had five years with Habana d’ Primera since we started. Five years of happiness, music, poetry dedication and power, I don’t expect any less for the next five years.
KR -  What artists have been your greatest inspiration and why?
AA -  There have been so many but I cannot leave out Arturo Sandoval the Sound master and virtuoso. Juan Manuel Ceruto, a master who taught me a huge percentage of what I know, Benny More for everything , and all the musicians that represent Cuban Music.
KR -  The success of your hit ’ Passaporte’ has been a phenomenal and well received by the public in Cuba, Europe and all over Latin America. How do you feel about this master-piece, and have you won any awards or Grammy's for it?
(Alexander laughs with satisfaction)
AA -  Yes, the song has really been loved and appreciated in many countries and often the audience can sing along with every word. You know the video is not played on Cuban TV, although it has been played in many counties in South America and had a lot of Success. I am delighted it has been so well received, but neither the song or video have won any awards.
KR. - Tell me how do you feel about winning the best Dance / Choreographic video at the Lukas awards last November in Cuba, with ’ Al fin De La Vida ? ‘
(Alexander laughs out loud)
AA -  Well we had a great time making the video Kerry didn’t we? We all worked so well together, the filming was a very special time. ( Raising the pitch of his voice )' You know how hard it is to win a Lukas award in Cuba? ' It was a great award to win and I believe we won the perfect category for our video with the choreography and performance of Maykel Fonts and your Key2Cuba dancers. The whole band and I were delighted to win.
At the end of the call I tell him how much everyone here in the U.K. are looking forward to hearing Havanad’Primera play. I hear in his 'Woahah ' his warm hearted delight. Through-out the interview, his gratitude and humility, were ever present. He is such a phenomenally talented, powerful , charismatic man and yet so humble and noble.I predict his concerts’ will be magnificent, and everyone who attends them will be moved beyond expectation!