César López: saxophonist, arranger and composer.
Havana, 1968. He graduated from the Arts National School and his professional life began in 1985 with the troupe of the outstanding musician Boby Carcasés, Latin Jazz lover and talented researcher.
In 1988, López is chosen by Master Chucho Valdés to join the prestigious Cuban band Irakere, he stayed in this band during 9 years and played with several luminaries from the world of music, highlighting, Gladys Knight, Chik Corea, Winston Marsallis, Michael Camilo y Tito Puente, among others.
He has given masterful lectures at different universities: Center University (Canada), Universidad del Atlántico (Barranquilla, Colombia), Instituto de Superación del Arte (Havana, Cuba), as well as in many music conservatoires: Cali (Colombia), La Coruña (Spain) and London (England).
López has a wide discography together with Ivan Lins, Silvio Rodríguez, Roy Hargrove, Richard Egües, Sara González, and Chucho Valdés. He
also joined Compay Segundo, Danny Rivera, Leo Brouwer and the National Symphonic Orchestra in many concerts.
One of the highlights of his career was the invitation done by Chucho Valdés to participate in the fantastic concert with Diego El Cigala, in 2004, firstly in Havana, and later at the Berbican Theater in London, this time with the participation of the greatest Bebo Valdés. Another rousing moment was his presence in the concert at Ronnie Scott, in London, celebrating Irakere´s 30th anniversary.
César López & Habana Ensemble:
In January 14, 1997, César López founded Habana Ensemble, formed by a group of relevant Cuban musicians (some of them former members of Irakere and some others coming from first rate Cuban groups). On January 27, during a tribute concert to the Cuban trumpet player Jorge Varona, Habana Ensemble revealed its strength.
Nowadays Havana Ensemble is an institution of Latin Jazz in Cuba and abroad. They have shared stages with artists such as Compay Segundo, Danny Rivera, Tito Puente, Richard Egües, Marcus Muller, Saúo Gíra, John Pizzarelli, among others.
They have played at different scenes and festivals all around the world: SOBS Club and Hostos University College, both in New York. U.S.; Crystal Club, Miami, U.S.; Teresa Carreño Theater and Juan Sebastián Bar Jazz Club, in Caracas, Venezuela; Euro Disney, Paris, France; Barbados Jazz Festival and Medellín Jazz Festival in Colombia Water Brother Jazz Festival also in Caracas Venezuela and Jazz Plaza, in Cuba, to name a few.
In 1998, Havana Ensemble recorded the first CD Mambo Manía, a splendid tribute to Dámaso Pérez Prado, well-known as the king of mambo, and the album is considered as a masterpiece that merge Cuban rhythms like mambo, cha cha chá and son with jazz and funky. They have also released: Tocando Tierra (Latin World), Andante (BIS Music 2005, Awarded at Cubadisco 2006 for Best jazz album) and Clásicos de Cuba (Bis Music, 2007, Grand Award at Cubadisco 2008).
