BIO

 

 

 

 

Humberto Zaldívar Michel

Master in Music Pedagogy - Jazz

 

 

 Date of Birth: March 28,1974

 

     Place of Birth: Camagüey Province, Cuba

 

 

 

 

 

Early Life and Education

 

 

He was born into a traditional family of musicians. His father, Humberto Zaldívar Wambrug, was a trumpet player, conductor, composer, and professor at the Camagüey College of Music.

 

 

At the age of 6, Humberto received his first music lessons from his father. Four years later, he passed the entrance exam for trumpet at the Escuela Vocacional de Artes (E.V.A.) in Camagüey, where he also received his basic musical training.

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Career

 

 

 

Currently Humberto Zaldivar is working on his project Jazz Collective  and his first solo album.

 

 

2024

Humberto Zaldivar graduated with excellent, outstanding grades from the Zurich University of the Arts.

 

2023
During his time as a student, he participated in several projects, including collaborations with Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma and the DKSJ AllStar for a tour through Switzerland’s most important jazz clubs. They also performed live at the FRS radio station in Lausanne. He made numerous recordings with a Big Band and worked alongside Big Band director Martin Streule, performing concerts at the university’s MEHR SPUR Club.

 

2022
He took his entrance exams for the ZHdK in Zurich to begin studies in psychology and jazz trumpet.

 

2010
He became a member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars and performed at festivals worldwide. He collaborated with German singer Helene Fischer, Matt Bianco, and Tony Martinez & Cuban Power, contributing to several CD productions.

2005 onwards
He performed with singer and entertainer Roberto Blanco at various concerts.

 

2003-2005
Humberto performed with the Gateway Orquestra at the NDR Rolf-Liebermann-Studio and collaborated with international artists, such as pop Russian singer Juliette Simonovskaja.

 

2001
Moved to Germany, where he performed with various groups, including “Cubanísimo” and “Sexteto Chanchullo.” He performed at major jazz festivals in Italy, Germany, and Norway, and recorded several albums.

 

1998-2000
He continued performing internationally and regularly appeared on Cuban television and radio. He participated in the film Cuban Fire and accompanied renowned Cuban singer Caridad Hierrezuelo on a European tour.

 

1996-1997
He joined the young formation “Grupo Asere” and later recorded his first album A mi Yemayá with the band “Eco del Caribe” in Havana’s EGREM studios. Humberto was also invited by Compay Segundo of Buena Vista Social Club to record three CDs: Lo Mejor de la Vida, Duet, and Gracias Compay.

 

1993-1995
After graduation, Humberto performed with the vocal group “Ébano y Marfil” and later became the lead trumpet player in the band “Campo Alegre.” He toured internationally, performing in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, alongside renowned artists such as Oscar de León and “Grupo Niche.”

 

 

1993 

Humberto graduated with a degree in Classical Trumpet and Music Theory and Practice Teaching.

1986 

Humberto won first prize in both classical and Cuban music categories at a regional competition in Camagüey. He later represented his city at the national “Amadeo Roldán” competition in Havana, where he placed second overall and first in Cuban music.

 

After completing his elementary education, he enrolled at the prestigious “Escuela Nacional de Arte” (E.N.A.) in Havana to further his classical studies.

 

 

 

 

 

Discography

 

 

 

1997 "Lo Mejor de la Vida" by Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) – Warner Music

 

1997 "Duet " by Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) – Warner Music

 

1997 "Gracias Compay" by  Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) – Warner Music

 

1998  "A mi Yemayá" by Cotó y su Eco del Caribe – EGREM Studios, Cuba

 

2001 "Mirando al Sur" by  Los Complices – Germany

 

2001 "El Son Llegó" by Sonido Tres - Germany

 

2004 "Gratitud" by Sonido Tres - Germany

 

2005 Sueños perdidos with Rodrigo Tobar – Chile

 

2005 "Live Concierto" by Cuba Vista - Germany 

 

2007 "Nave dos Sonhos " by Nosly - Brasil / Germany

 

2009 "O Traffico" by Napolatina – Germany

 

2011 "Con Clave " by Jacqueline Castellanos & Tokame - Germany

 

2012 "Ya Llegó"  by Sonido Tres - Germany

 

2013 "Noche de Sal" by Sambasal – Denmark

 

2015 "Seguimos" by  Son pa Ti – Germany

 

2017 "Si Señor Live" by Si Señor - Germany

 

2017 "Erste Schritte" by Carolyne Pirulli – USA

 

2018 "The Offbeat of Hearts" by  Salsamania – Germany

 

 

 

 

 Filmography

 

 

2000 "Cuban Fire" by Brian Ramsay – Cuba

 

2003 Wagner meets Cuba, "Parsifal goes La Habana" by Gateway4M - Germany