The Future of Cuban Jazz

When I made my first call to Cuba from the U.S., I thought I was speaking with Yasek Manzano

— the trumpeter everyone told me was the future of Cuban jazz. The conversation was deep,

soulful, and inspiring. I hung up thinking, “Wow, this brother is something special.”

A few days later, I found out… I had actually been talking to Alex Joy.

And you know what? It turned out to be a happy mistake.

Alex is an incredible young guitarist, and that first call ended up opening a door to a new friend-

ship. But once I finally did connect with the real Yasek Manzano, I realized the universe had

simply given me two great artists to look forward to meeting — instead of one.

Now, about Yasek…

He began studying music at a young age at the Alejandro García Caturla Conservatory in Mari-

anao, first learning by imitating the records spinning in his parents’ home. By 1995, he was at the

Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, where he fell in love with jazz. That same year, he began playing

at La Zorra y El Cuervo, Havana’s famed jazz club. His journey took a life-changing turn when

American trumpeter Roy Hargrove gifted him his first trumpet. That spark launched Yasek into

the Havana jam session scene and eventually led him to New York, where he earned a scholar-

ship to Juilliard and studied under Wynton Marsalis. Returning to Cuba in 2003, he launched his

professional career, forming his own group and releasing his debut album in collaboration with

Roberto Martínez. Since then, he’s shared stages with Cuban legends like Chucho Valdés, Beatriz

Márquez, and Frank Fernández. His tone is rich, his solos full of intention, and his connection to

the music is both spiritual and precise.

He’s also an international educator and performer, having played in the U.S., France, Brazil, South

Africa, Switzerland, and more. A member of Cuba’s National Union of Writers and Artists (UN-

EAC), Yasek continues to lead by example — grounded, innovative, and dedicated to the culture.

“Yasek doesn’t just play the horn — he speaks through it. And I’m grateful I got to know both

him and Alex on this journey.” – Doc Jones