Berlin Philharmonic hornist and TV presenter known for crossover projects blending classical and Cuban music; Mozart y Mambo series is her signature output.
Meet The Sarahbanda - the Cuban band with a twist! Formed as part of the popular Mozart y Mambo project by Sarah Willis of the Berlin Philharmonic, The Sarahbanda explores the captivating Cuban dance rhythms in a way never heard before. How? By featuring an instrument not typically included in traditional Cuban band music - the French horn. The sound of Sarah´s horn combined with Cuban grooves played by some of Cuba´s most talented musicians creates an exciting and passionate group unlike any other. With their exclusive new arrangements of some of Cuba's best known songs such as Chan Chan and Sandunguera, original compositions by members of the band, and some classical-meets-Cuban surprises, The Sarahbanda brings a whole new sound - fresh, innovative, irresistible and one you simply have to get up and dance to!
Meet the Sarahbanda - the Cuban band with a twist! Formed as part of the popular Mozart y Mambo project by Sarah Willis of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Sarahbanda explores the captivating Cuban dance rhythms in a way never heard before. How? By featuring an instrument not typically included in traditional Cuban band music - the French horn. The sound of Sarah´s horn combined with Cuban grooves played by some of Cuba´s most talented musicians creates an exciting and passionate group unlike any other. With their exclusive new arrangements of some of Cuba's best known songs such as Chan Chan and Sandunguera, original compositions by members of the band, and some classical-meets-Cuban surprises, the Sarahbanda brings a whole new sound - fresh, innovative, irresistible and one you simply have to get up and dance to!
“The French horn is notoriously difficult to play. You can practise all you like but there is no guarantee that the note you blow into the mouthpiece is the same one which will come out of the bell once it has travelled through all the twists and turns of the tubing. However, when all goes well, the horn is glorious and I absolutely love being a horn player, even with all risks – and maybe even because of them.” (Sarah Willis) After the enormous success of Mozart y Mambo (ALPHA578) which went straight to Number 1 in Germany on release in 2020, Alpha has decided to reissue one of the first albums recorded by this multi-talented and tireless ambassador of the French horn. In this re-release of the 2014 album, Horn Discoveries, Sarah Willis demonstrates all the rich potential of her instrument with exciting original compositions and beautiful arrangements of well-loved repertoire pieces such as Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Dvorak’s Humoresque, Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles and Debussy’s Clair de Lune.
