David Benda & Sebastellar
This musical ensemble was formed at the end of 2023. Its main composer is David Benda, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and music teacher who won first place in the 2020 World Virtual Bluegrass Banjo Contest.
David is joined by a group of exceptional musicians: virtuoso violinist Honza Bláha, who moves effortlessly between classical, funk, and bluegrass; bassist Jura Válek, the musical equivalent of Chuck Norris; and drummer Mára Sáblík, whose Swiss precision and Brazilian flair bring an unprecedented dynamism to the rhythm section. Together, they form a quartet dedicated to original music blending jazz, folk, rock, bluegrass, and world music.
Their repertoire consists mainly of original compositions with lyrics in both English and Czech, enriched by vocal harmonies, expressive instrumental solos, humor, and energy that create a unique connection between the band and the audience.
David Benda
David is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and music teacher.
With the banjo as his main instrument, he composes genre-free music containing elements of jazz, folk, bluegrass, rock and world music. He regularly gives concerts and teaches across Europe. He became the champion of the World Virtual Bluegrass Banjo Contest 2020 and works with prominent personalities of both the Czech and world music scene.
Jiří Válek
Jura has been intrinsically connected with music since a very young age, initially he mainly devoted himself to the classical guitar. Over the years, he became fascinated with bluegrass, so he expanded his horizons to include banjo and mandolin. After a while he began to lean towards jazz and his primary instrument became the double bass and then the bass guitar. Outside of playing the instrument, he is fully devoted to singing. He collaborated, for example, with Radim Zenkl, Ondra Kozák, Petr Hannig, Valeria Lynn /USA/, with pianists Richard Mlynář, Zdenek Dočekal, Petr Stojan, bands Madalen, A.M. Flyaway, The Jumper Cables and with many more. In 2003, music became his profession. He lives in the picturesque Hanac town of Litovel and would never change.
Honza Bláha
Honza has been a violinist since he was 6 years old. He studied at the primary art school in Litoměřice under the guidance of Miroslav Roček. In 2009 he discovered the magic of bluegrass fiddle and has been active in bluegrass bands ever since.
Thanks to bluegrass, he began to train diligently and developed his fiddle and singing skills. He is currently discovering the magic of electronic instruments. Genres such as funk, dance and electronic music are ingrained in his musical heart, and that is why he plunges into the vortex of the Sebastellar project, where he finds himself among musicians from another universe.
Marek Sáblík
From an early age, Marek was surrounded by music that his dad played from records at home. Even then, the first ambitions of drumming appeared, albeit only with wooden spoons on a chair, but when he later sat down at a friend's drum kit, everything was decided. His love for playing the drums accompanies him throughout his life, during which he gathers experience with drumming masters through consultations, workshops and, last but not least, studying world music and the playing of world leaders. Of the prominent personalities from the Czech Republic, Kamil Slezák certainly had an impact on his musical development. Marek was a member of many musical groups, which certainly influenced the style of his playing. Iša Krejčí Jazz Big Band, Nutrio (jazz Trio), One Night Stand (Funky soul), Valerie LYNN (soul pop country).