The Music

"BATUCADA - THE SOUND OF THE FAVELAS" (Mr. Bongo, 1996) Much of our inspiration for the movement and music of SambaFunk! classes comes from the Afro-Brasilian dance and drum tradition – although our music also includes rhythms from Africa and the rest of the African diaspora.

The influence of American funk in Brasil in previous decades combined with their already established rhythmic flavors continues to produce beautiful music that is thoroughly danceable. Here in the U.S., the beat feels very familiar.

There are many names for the different rhythms, from the traditional sounds of just percussion to modern bands, there are a variety of flavors that we can refer to as SambaFunk!

Bahia Black "Ritual Beating System" - fantastic album!

Some major influences include :

Olodum,

Ilê Aiyê,

Carlinhos Brown,

James Brown,

Micheal Jackson,

Black Rio,

T Connection, and more

Q: What is a Bateria?

A: Batería is a Portugese word for a percussion ensemble. Bateria’s often play a style of samba from Rio called Batucada and/or samba-reggae, and more. This music is an African influenced percussive style characterized by its intensity, high energy, polyrhythms, and is highly danceable.

SambaFunk has drum classes where we invite the public to come learn for free and play for our dance classes, and we also have our own Bateria for other events: The Funktyme Playahs! where we incorporate the traditional rhythms associated with a brasilian bateria, plus other rhythms that funkify your body.