Diego H.

Trumpet/Drums

Genres: All

Teaches in English and Spanish

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Trumpeter, improviser, and composer Diego H. was born in Remedios, Villa Clara, Cuba. Growing up in a musically rich household, he was surrounded by the sounds of his father’s trumpet and his uncle’s flute and piano. Their influence instilled in him a deep appreciation for classical music, Cuban rhythms, and jazz, shaping his early musical foundation and inspiring his lifelong dedication to the craft.

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Diego began his formal music education at the Olga Alonso Vocational School, where he explored various instruments before focusing on the trumpet. His talent quickly emerged, winning his first trumpet competition in 2012 and recording his first solo with the Villa Clara Youth Symphony in 2014. He was then admitted into Cuba’s prestigious National School of Arts (ENA), where he refined his technique and deepened his artistic vision. During this time, he studied with several influential trumpet players, most notably maestro Roberto Garcia, an emblematic figure in Cuban Jazz. Under Garcia’s mentorship, Diego discovered the expressive power of Jazz, learning to blend contemporary elements with traditional styles such as bebop and Cuban rumba.

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This period of growth led Diego to develop his own artistic identity, with a focus on Afro-Cuban music fused with Jazz. He founded and directed the ensemble Afro Cubanos, showcasing his evolving sound, and performed with notable groups such as the ENA Jazz Band and Joaquín Betancourt’s Joven Jazz Band. His performances at major venues like the National Theater of Cuba and the Teatro de Bellas Artes in Havana provided opportunities to collaborate with both Cuban and international musicians, including Dave Weckl, Brian Lynch, and Victor Goines.

Further refining his craft, Diego connected with GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Kervin Barreto from Calle 13, gaining invaluable insight into live performance and stage presence.

 

Establishing himself in the Havana jazz scene, he played alongside top musicians at renowned venues such as La Zorra y el Cuervo and Jazz Café, solidifying his reputation as a rising talent in Cuban Jazz. His versatility and curiosity led him to collaborate on numerous recordings spanning jazz, R&B, and electronic music with artists like Matthew Little, Varijashree Venugopal, and Domas Zeromskas.

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In 2022, Diego released his debut album, Distante, on the U.S.-based label CommonGood Records. The seven-track live studio album, composed entirely by Diego, explored Latin jazz while maintaining a deep connection to the musical traditions of the Caribbean and Latin America. The album featured the Diego Hedez Quintet, with Miguel Angel Wiwi on keyboard, Lino Piquero on bass, Miguel Pacifico on congas, and Rey Ponce on drums. Later that year, he was selected for a prestigious jazz residency in Sutri, Italy, where he recorded his latest album alongside acclaimed Cuban-American drummer Francisco Mela and Italian drummer Federico Ughi.

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In early 2023, Diego was selected for the SIM Summer Program in Brooklyn, led by renowned trumpeter Ralph Alessi, an experience that further influenced his improvisational approach. His musical journey has since led him to collaborate with avant-garde icons like William Parker and Daniel Carter, performing at prominent venues and festivals worldwide. His recent projects, including The New Quartet and collaborations with the William Parker Ensemble, continue to push musical boundaries, exploring free improvisation and sonic experimentation while staying rooted in the rhythmic and harmonic richness of his Cuban heritage.

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Diego believes in creating a fun, inspiring and creative environment for all of his students. He encourages his students to form great practice habits and technique, while keeping lessons fun! 

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