We’re back in Brazil for the second time this year!

Our first night in the country and only a few hours after landing we headed out to Casa São Jorge (‘House of St George‘) one of the most popular Samba bars in the nearby city of Campinas, where sweaty dancers were tearing up the dancefloor and the band were giving it large.  We were introduced to a whole number of musicians and a few days later we went back to the bar to record with members of two local bands Samba de Responsa and Grupo de Fato.

One after the other, the musicians we recorded were Rogerinho Amaral on pandeiro and reco-reco percussion instruments, Herman Alves on cavaco (or cavaquinho) the small 4-string guitar, Fabricio Aggio on rebolo (medium sized drum), Silas Ribeiro on tan-tan (large sized drum) and lastly Bruno Toma on repique (small sized drum).

A symbol of Brazil and part of its national identity, Samba originated in the Bahia region in Brazil’s north east, but has its roots in Rio De Janeiro, from the very dark times of the African slave trade.  There are many styles throughout the country and there’s no doubt it’s the best known form of Brazilian music worldwide.

With big thanks to Felipe Rigolizzo and the Paulinia Fest team.