I’ve always loved the magic of Christmas music, so for this album — my DG debut — the Sarahbanda and I set out to reimagine timeless holiday classics with the vibrant energy of Cuban rhythms. The result is a joyful mix of favourites like Jingle Bells and Silent Night, all infused with the irresistible grooves of salsa, mambo, bolero, and son. And for something extra special, we’ve given classical gems like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 a true Havana heartbeat.

Let me tell you about my beloved Sarahbanda. We are a Cuban band with a difference. The difference? We’ve added my French horn to a Cuban dance band, thus blending Cuban favourites with a touch of classical spice. Born out of my original Mozart y Mambo project, this band fulfills a dream of mine to become even more immersed in the Cuban dance rhythms and culture, despite playing an instrument never normally heard in a traditional Cuban dance band. The Sarahbanda is a group of some of the most talented musicians I have ever met who I’ve been playing with for several years now. During this time, we’ve built something far greater than a musical collaboration – we have become a family, bound together by our love of combining Cuban rhythms and classical music and the joy of sharing these sounds with the world.