Orchestra Mambo International / “Apuntalo!” album launch + Sabroso Dance Co. & DJ Lubi
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Orchestra Mambo International / “Apuntalo!” album launch + Sabroso Dance Co. & DJ Lubi

18th September 2026
Howard Assembly Room

UK mambo/classic salsa/Latin jazz stars ORCHESTRA MAMBO INTERNATIONAL release their long-awaited debut album “¡Apúntalo!” on 18th September 2026. Digital and vinyl release.

On that same night, they kick off a 13 date English tour in Leeds at Howard Assembly Room. Hosting the night and DJing all night will be band co-founder and UK salsa legend DJ Lubi (Lubi Jovanovic).

And longtime mates Sabroso Dance Company will be teaching an early doors salsa dance class at 7.45pm, and as always in Leeds, jamming with the band onstage to great mambo and salsa music. Top UK salsa DJ and Leeds legend DJ Lubi will be spinning past and present mambo, salsa, Cuban music before and after the live set.

It’s 2 years since their last appearance at HAR – the tribute to Tito Puente show – so it’s great to have them back in this amazing venue for salsa and Cuban music (home of DJ Lubi’s A NIGHT IN HAVANA parties).

Doors 7pm. Salsa dance class 7.45pm.
Band onstage 9.15pm. DJ Lubi 10.45pm to to the end.

Here’s a bit of background on the band.

Orchestra Mambo International formed in the UK in autumn 2022, and features musicians from Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain and Brazil alongside UK musicians. They play classic mambo and Afro-Cuban jazz heavily influenced by legends such as Tito Puente, Fania Allstars and Eddie Palmieri.

They’ve performed live across the UK, including Glastonbury Festival 2025 (Latin stage), Leeds Jazz Festival, MusicPort Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival and Sidmouth Jazz Festival. In December 2024, they played three songs live on air from the legendary Maida Vale studios in London for the Cerys Matthews’s Christmas Party special on 6 Music.

They’ve released six previous singles since May 2024 on ATA Records, Echo Chamber and Loft Recording (three on vinyl 45). All had strong support from radio heads like Gilles Peterson (6 Music), Jamz Supernova (6 Music), Soweto Kinch (Radio 3), Coco Maria (NTS Radio), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Craig Charles (6 Music), Tina Edwards (Bandcamp Selects), Jamie Cullum (Radio 2), to name a few.

“¡Apúntalo!” is their debut album and features 8 original songs. It will be available on vinyl via Loft Recordings and can be purchased at this show. Early bird tickets just £16.50 until late-August. Advance ticket price £21.00. More on the door.

If wanting to dance/do the salsa dance class, book standing tickets downstairs. If wanting to just watch the band live from 9-10.30pm, you can book upstairs gallery seats.