Orquestra Amadeus

Orquesta Amadeus

     “Let’s go Havana!”

Orquesta Amadeusis 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 1940’s and 50’s 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 Amadeusdebuted 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 link to a video clip from this concert can be found below.)

The band-members are:
Hershal - Cuban Wooden Flute
Craig Denham -Piano
James Sneyd -Violin
John Ellis- Conga
Peter Scott -Bass

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

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvcbXEFfIuw