Abreu Brothers: Cuba’s Young Jazz Stars 

Fabio (19) and Diego (18) Abreu are Cuba’s newest jazz revelation — two brothers raised in a home filled with rhythm, music and love.

From the classrooms of Havana’s Amadeo Roldán Conservatory to the stage of the Teatro Martí, the “Abreu Brothers” have become symbols of Cuba’s new musical generation.

Winners of the Cubadisco 2025 Opera Prima Award for their album “Tributos: Jazzeando a lo cubano,” they blend jazz, funk, danzón and timba into a deeply Cuban sound that resonates across the globe.

Discover how family, heritage and creativity shape the sound of a new Cuba.

TRANSCRIPT

“The Abreu Brothers isn’t just a band. It’s us as brothers and the people we share music with,” said Diego Abreu González, Cuban pianist and co-founder of the Abreu Brothers.

“We’re just two kids who love making music, and we try to share it with people the same way we feel it,” added his brother, drummer Fabio Abreu González.

“Music’s been part of our lives since the crib, really, because of Mom and Dad. Since we were little boys, music was the environment, the air we breathed. From a young age, we knew that’s what we wanted to do,” Fabio explained.

“We became an official duo in 2023,” Diego recalled.

“Lights, camera… bembón,” joked their father, Cuban percussionist Yaroldy Abreu.

“We used to get together at our father’s house, where the upright piano and drum set were, just to play, improvise, and compose,” Diego said.

“I studied in Holguín province, and after graduating, I moved to Havana. I met Fabio first, then Diego, and that’s when we decided I’d join the group,” said Roberto Álvarez, double bass player for the Abreu Brothers.

“Being a mother, producer, manager, and friend is a huge challenge. Being the mom of two teenagers already is. On top of that, you have to guide them and help them understand the industry,” explained their mother and manager, Nerys González.

“That’s the order for the first set. I don’t have the second one. What do we start with? Diego, what do we start with?” González asked during rehearsals.

“Melancholy. That’s a piece I have to play,” Diego responded.

“I see Mom as three different moms: the one who sees you as her little boy, the responsible one, and the boss mom, the manager and producer,” Fabio said with a smile.

“We’ve managed to find a balance between being their mom and being their manager. They’re independent and focused, and I just step in when needed,” González noted.

“Their father’s influence has been fundamental, especially in creativity and avoiding excessive virtuosity,” she added.

“My dad plays percussion, but when I first saw a drum set, it was love at first sight,” Fabio recalled.

“Having such a respected musician as a father pushes me to constantly improve myself,” Diego explained.

“He’s my hero. He always tells us we have to be better than him, not the same,” Fabio said.

“With my instrument, I try to communicate what can’t be said with words,” the drummer added.

“When I improvise on the piano, my mind goes blank and everything I feel comes out through my body,” Diego reflected.

“People think Diego is the serious one, but Fabio is actually the organized one,” joked bassist Roberto Álvarez.

“I study piano, and composing is the driving force behind everything I do,” Diego said.

“I’m into art in general—films, theater, reading—and sports like soccer and basketball,” Fabio shared.

“I’m generally very calm, but I also love playing video games,” Diego added.

“We understand each other just by looking at each other. My brother is my best friend,” Fabio said.

“Classical training gave us technique, and when you combine that with street knowledge, it takes you to another level,” he added.

“Our album Tributos: Jazzeando a lo cubano came out of long nights and intense discussions,” Diego explained.

“Winning the Cubadisco Award was a huge honor. Hopefully, there will be more music ahead,” Fabio said.

“Traveling to the U.S. for the first time helped us grow as musicians,” he added.

“For the future, it’s about always improving as musicians and as people,” Diego concluded.

“I’ll always carry Cuba with me—its music, its culture. That’s my essence,” Fabio said.