The Sarahbanda is a unique ensemble born from the innovative vision of Sarah Willis – world-renowned French horn player and passionate salsa dancer. The inspiration for the band grew out of her successful project Mozart y Mambo with the Havana Lyceum Orchestra, which blends the music of W.A. Mozart with Cuban rhythms. This creative experiment not only led to the recording of all of Mozart’s horn concertos in a fresh, Cuban-inspired style, but also marked the first time the classical horn was integrated into a traditional Cuban band.
The joy Sarah Willis experienced while playing Cuban dance music ultimately led to the founding of the Sarahbanda. Although the horn is not a traditional instrument in Cuban ensembles, she boldly took the leap, bringing together a group of outstanding Cuban musicians to merge the vibrant rhythms of Cuba with the sound of the horn. With the Sarahbanda, Sarah was able to take her passion for Cuban music and dance to a whole new level.
Early works by the Sarahbanda were already featured on the Mozart y Mambo albums. In September 2024, the band released its debut album. The Sarahbanda explores the rich variety of popular Cuban dance rhythms, incorporating the horn into captivating new arrangements by band members and close collaborators such as Jorge Aragón and Edgar Olivero. Classics like Chan Chan, Sandungera, and Contigo en la Distancia are reimagined in fresh interpretations that remain true to Cuban tradition while also evolving it. Original compositions, f.e. by Yuniet Lombida, further enrich the ensemble’s repertoire.
The Sarahbanda has been invited to perform at many internationally renowned festivals and concert series, including the Lucerne Festival, Rheingau Festival, Berlin Philharmonie, Nikolaisaal Potsdam, Società Filarmonica Trento, and Schloss Elmau. In autumn 2025, their second album Cuban Christmas was released by Deutsche Grammophon.
The Sarahbanda represents an electrifying fusion of classical music and Cuban rhythms – offering an unforgettable listening experience that brings cultures and traditions together.
