A Festive Fusion: Sarah Willis Brings a Cuban Twist to Holiday Classics
Embark on a musical journey to Cuba this holiday season with an album that reimagines festive classics through a vibrant Latin lens. This unique release comes from Sarah Willis, a trailblazing horn player who made history in 2001 as the first female member of the Berlin Philharmonic‘s brass section.
Renowned for her engaging concert presentations and her popular interview series, Horn Hangouts, Willis has become a prominent figure in the classical music world. Her latest project is a continuation of an endeavor that began with her first visit to Cuba in 2017, where she launched the Mozart y Mambo series. This innovative series creatively combines Mozart’s horn concertos with lively Cuban dance rhythms, performed alongside a talented Havana-based student orchestra.
In 2024, Willis returned to Cuba to form The Sarahbanda, a dynamic ensemble of Cuban musicians that blends classical and Latin music. Their second album, a festive celebration, showcases a unique rendition of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, infused with a distinct Cuban flair.
Listeners can also enjoy The Sarahbanda’s versions of holiday favorites such as “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” and “Silent Night,” featuring a beautiful horn solo by Willis. Adding to the festive spirit, three tracks include performances by Carlos Calunga, a vocalist from the iconic Buena Vista Social Club. His voice graces tracks like “Feliz Navidad,” “The Christmas Song,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
This album, titled Cuban Christmas, is available now under the Deutsche Grammophon label, offering a fresh take on holiday traditions with a vibrant, tropical twist.
