Being founded in the early months of 1997 and featuring prestigious Cuban musicians, ''Habana Ensemble'' shows a series of new elements approaching the musical and aesthetic spheres becoming different from other Cuban groups.
The fact of being scholars of Irakere, under the direction of the famous jazziest Chucho Valdes allows these young talents to get maturity mastering their instruments and being, on the other hand, examples of great virtuosity at Latin Jazz World.

Using the individual skills of each member, Habana Ensemble tackles in its repertoire masterpieces of Classic Jazz and Cuban popular music.
They achieve a contemporary sound that makes them authentic in each of their performances.

Under the leadership of Cesar Lopez, saxophonist boasting high professional level (ex-member of Irakere), named by the critic as the Cuban Charlie Parkes; Habana Ensemble is adamant since its early years about showing to the public its versatility and performing strength, holding an ample repertoire conformed by boleros, salsa, instrumental pieces, congas, and versions of some standard jazz where improvisations play a decisive role in each one of the members, this fact joins their great sonority to enhance their musical prestige.

To express feelings and emotions transcending upon the most universal language, the music, is the greatest success of Habana Ensemble. It is done through a study of the Cuban musical history and the contributions that have been made in the last 20 years achieving a defined sonority and style before an avid and expert public. This fact allows them to participate at national and international Festivals also sharing scenarios in Venezuela, Barbados, Peru, Colombia, United States, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, being acknowledged with critic appraisal and public acceptance.

"Habana Ensemble" has shared the stage with: Victor Manuel, Danny Rivera, Washington Ballet, Compay Segundo, Spiro Gira, Marcos Miller and Richard Egues.

Among the luminary Cuban musicians, Cesar Lopez was, due to his authenticity and talent, the most revered artist in 2003, as guest of unique concerts honoring remarkable personalities.

In the first case he was invited for the famous jazzist Chucho Valdes to participate at the concerts offered by him at the worl-wide known Ronnie Scott celebrating the 30 anniversary of Irakere Group, created by Master Chucho Valdes and in the second ocassion he was invited to participate in a gala offered at National Hotel of Cuba with motive of 96 anniversary of the late Compay Segundo.

To add more reasons, Cesar Lopez and his group Habana Ensemble were the special guests for the Japanesse Trio Fumio Karashima, outstanding jazzist who performed in our country as part of a wide schedule to celebrate the 75 anniverasry of the relations between two archipelagos, as japanesse Embassy announced in Cuba.

Cesar Lopez is starting 2004 with new proposals to reinforce his prestigy as Cuban instrumentalist and composer. Around April and March he will be in charge of the Radio and Television Orchestra in Denmark, where he will offer a series of Cuban music concerts, which arrangers and orchestrations are under his sign, to arrive later to United States as guest of Chucho Valdes and Irakere in their upcoming tour.

Another important experience for Cesar was the fact of being protagonist of the major musical event of Cuba that year, we are talking about the concert of the famous jazzist Chucho Valdes and the Spanish singer Diego El Cigala, reaching sonorities hard to forget.

We all witnessed of all that flood of feelings, good music and passion of each member in that concert and although it`s a reality for everyone that Cesar is a peerless musician, this experience simply launched him to fame forever.
To add more spice on June of the same year, as it was forseen by Master jazzist Chucho Valdes, Cesar Lopez was the guest artist of the concerts at the Ronnie Scott to honor the 30 anniversary of Irakere foundation. During an entire month Cesar Lopez was presented by Chucho from Monday to Saturday at the famous club in England and this young and peerless musician and his saxo showed the sensibility and professionalism as permanent features of him.

On the other hand, a magic air flooded over the English audience and it also happened in Havana when in Berbican Theater, Diego el Cigala, Chucho Valdes, Bebo Valdes and Cesar Lopez were present to delight a demanding audience. Little more than ten minutes was the English public clapping and acclaiming such peerless staff which mixed to an excellent music performed an unforgettable night.

2005 was an important year for Cesar Lopez, who besides playing international dates, recorded a new CD for Bis Music , where the high quality and excellence are definitely present.

2006 Cubadisco Award for his CD Andante

Concert at Amadeo Roldan because of Cesar Lopez y Habana Ensemble's 10th anniversary with the participation of the Havana Chamber Orchestra conducted by Maestro Ivan del Prado, made up of strings and fusioned with the group it was performed anthological songs from the Cuban Popular Music, recorded alive in CD and DVD.

This outstanding Cuban musician has been given the Medal of Friendship in Japan MINNON-2007.

Virtuosity, originality and above all, the desire of offering a musical project having a high aesthetic content, are the main features of Habana Ensemble, Cuban musical group that is already occupying an important place in the Latin Jazz's history.

Desde su fundaci0n en los primeros meses de 1997 y con prestigiosos musicos de Cuba, "Habana Ensamble" muestra una serie de nuevos elementos musicales acercandose a una estetica cada vez mas diferente de la de otros grupos de cubanos.

El hecho de ser academicos de Irakere, bajo la direccion del famoso jazziesta Chucho Valdes permite a estos jovenes talentos obtener la madurez y el dominio de sus instrumentos que por otra parte, son  ejemplos del gran virtuosismo del Jazz Latino mundial.

Habana Ensamble aborda en su repertorio obras maestras del jazz clasico y la musica popular cubana, que alcanza un sonido contemporaneo el cual los hace autenticos en cada una de sus interpretaciones.

Bajo el liderazgo de Cesar Lopez, saxofonista (ex-miembro de Irakere), nombrado por la critica como el Charlie Parkes cubano, "Habana Ensamble" insiste desde sus primeros anos mostrar al publico su versatilidad y desempeno, con un amplio repertorio conformado por boleros, salsa, piezas instrumentales, congas, y las versiones de jazz que desempenan un papel decisivo en cada uno de los miembros, este hecho se une a su gran sonoridad musical para mejorar su prestigio.

Expresando sentimientos y emociones que trascienden a la lengua universal, la musica, el cual es el mayor exito de "Habana Ensemble" haciendo esto logran una sonoridad y estilo definido.

Este hecho les permite participar en festivales nacionales e internacionales donde criticos y admiradores disfrutan de su musica.

Algunos de los paises que han visitado contagiandolos con su musica y estilo son Venezuela, Barbados, Peru, Colombia, Estados Unidos, Brasil, Argentina y Mexico.

"Habana Ensemble" ha compartido escenario con: Victor Manuel, Danny Rivera, Washington Ballet, Compay Segundo, Spiro Gira, Marcos Miller y Richard Egues.

Fueron invitados por el famoso jazzista Chucho Valdes para participar en los conciertos ofrecidos por el en el worl.

Para anadir mas motivos, Cesar Lopez y su grupo Habana Ensamble fueron los invitados especiales para participar junto al trio japones Fumio Karashima.

En el 2003 Cesar Lopez fue nombrado el artista mas reconocido.

Otra experiencia importante para Cesar fue el hecho de ser protagonista de los principales eventos musicales de Cuba en el 2004, estamos hablando del concierto del famoso jazzista Chucho Valdes y el cantante espanol Diego El Cigala, alcanzando sonoridades dificiles de olvidar.

Para anadir mas en junio del mismo ano, el jazzista Chucho Valdes, Cesar Lopez, fueron los artistas invitados en los conciertos en el Ronnie Scout, en honor al 30 aniversario de fundacion Irakere. Durante un mes entero Cesar Lopez fue presentado por Chucho de lunes a ssbado en ese famoso club de Inglaterra.

El 2005 fue un ano importante para Cesar Lopez, ya que lanzo un nuevo CD de Bis Musica, donde la alta calidad y la excelencia estan definitivamente presente.

Recibio en el 2006 el Premio Cubadisco por su CD Andante

Tambien realizo un concierto en el Amadeo Roldan en el 10th aniversario con la participacion de la Orquesta de Camara de La Habana, la antologia de esas canciones de la musica popular cubana, fue grabado en vivo, en CD y DVD.

Este destacado musico cubano ha recibido la Medalla de la Amistad de Japon MINNON-2007.

Virtuosismo, originalidad y sobre todo, el deseo de ofrecer un proyecto musical con un alto contenido estetico, son las principales caracteristicas de Habana Ensemble, el grupo musical cubano que ya esta ocupando un lugar importante en la historia del Jazz Latino.