Orquesta Amadeus

“Let’s go Havana!” - Orquesta Amadeus is the country’s only authentic orquesta tipica cubana, or Cuban charanga band. The charanga movement gave birth to the classic Cuban rhythms and dances, the mambo and the cha cha cha, the origins of what we now call “salsa”.

The musical roots stretch back as far as Africa, France and Spain, referencing both the classical and folk traditions. Orquesta Amadeus interprets the passionate melodies and rhythms of this genre and the skilled interweaving of tradition and improvisation means that the music is fresh, exciting and new, while authentically expressing the 1940s and '50s Havana style.

Hershal Herscher, band-leader, arranger and flautist, played piano in New York's primo Afro-Cuban bands, Orquesta Broadway and Charanga 76, during the '60s and '70s and was the recipient of the 1998 Tony Rodriguez Award for his services to Latin music.

Orquesta Amadeus debuted at Auckland’s only Cuban bar and restaurant, Descarga Cubana
in 2009 and have played several local Auckland festivals as well as the 2010 Tauranga International Jazz Festival where they received a standing ovation.

The band-members are:
Katja Balzat - flute
Craig Denham - piano
James Sneyd - violin
John Ellis - conga
Peter Scott - bass

“Oquesta Amadeus were a refreshing change from the usual run of the mill salsa that has been around in recent years.” - Everall Deans, Descarga Cubana.

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