Sarzo brothers join new recording of Cuba exile anthem

Rudy and Robert Sarzo are set to record a new version of Gianluca Zanna’s “Cuba Libre / Exilio” in Burbank in late July, alongside Jizzy Pearl, Ruben Martinez and other musicians. The project comes as the 2005 song gains fresh traction online with Cuban activists and a new generation of listeners.

Why it matters: - The new recording ties a long-running exile anthem to musicians whose own childhood escape from Cuba mirrors the song’s theme. - The project is being revived as the original 2005 version reaches new listeners through TikTok and other social platforms. - Rudy Sarzo’s performance compensation will be donated in full to a nonprofit organization.

What happened: - Rudy Sarzo and Robert Sarzo will join Jizzy Pearl, Ruben Martinez, Robin Diaz and Claudette Lyons on a new recording of Gianluca Zanna’s “Cuba Libre / Exilio.” - Danny Saber will produce the session at Clear Lake Studios in Burbank, California, during the final week of July 2026. - Zanna Records will release the new version after recording and production are complete. - A release date has not been announced.

The details: - “Cuba Libre / Exilio” was originally written and recorded by Gianluca Zanna in 2005. - Cuban activists and creators have been sharing the original track online in connection with exile, freedom and hope for Cuba. - Rudy Sarzo and Robert Sarzo were born in Havana and left Cuba with their family in 1961 as Fidel Castro’s government consolidated control of the country. - Rudy Sarzo later performed with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Dio, and was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017. - Robert Sarzo, also known as “The VuDu Man,” is the founding lead guitarist of Hurricane and has spent more than four decades recording and touring. - Rudy Sarzo will play bass on the new recording, and Robert Sarzo will play guitar. - Jizzy Pearl, best known as the frontman of Love/Hate and a current Quiet Riot vocalist, will sing lead vocals. - Ruben Martinez, the original singer on the 2005 recording and the son of Cuban refugees, is returning to the project. - Robin Diaz will handle drums and percussion. - Diaz has worked with Hole, P.O.D., LIVE and Candlebox. - Claudette Lyons, Zanna’s musical partner in Luca and Claudette, will provide background vocals. - Danny Saber’s credits include work with The Rolling Stones, U2, David Bowie, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson and Public Enemy. - Saber was also a member of the British band Black Grape. - Zanna began collaborating with producer and musician Simone Sello and Martinez after moving from Rome to the United States in 1998. - Zanna said the renewed attention on the original recording helped drive the decision to revisit the song.

Between the lines: - The lineup gives the recording a built-in narrative: exile, memory and return are reflected in both the lyrics and the artists involved. - Bringing back the original singer while adding the Sarzo brothers could help the new version resonate with longtime fans and younger social-media audiences. - The project also extends Zanna’s pattern of assembling cross-genre collaborators around a politically charged song.

What’s next: - The recording will be completed in late July 2026 at Clear Lake Studios. - Zanna Records will announce the release date after production wraps. - Zanna Records says the label is independent and is led by Gianluca Zanna, whose catalog has received verified radio airplay across 490 stations in 99 countries and territories on six continents. - Zanna’s YouTube channel has generated more than 35.8 million views and nearly 22,600 subscribers, and his music has reached about 36.7 million monthly listeners through YouTube Music.