Graduated in trumpet studies at the Conservatory of Cagliari in 1982, the same year he won numerous awards as best Italian jazz talent. In 1996 he was awarded best European musician, he won the Django d’or and was nominated best international musician. He teaches both nationally and internationally and has recorded over 350 records. Fresu has been for many years director of the Festival Time in jazz in Berchidda and the Bergamo festival, as well as artistic director and teacher at the Nuoro Jazz seminars.