BLACK ROOTS OF BRAZILIAN SOUNDS

Two steps to the right, one to the left and two to the left and one to the right. Marking is done with drums without metal pegs, which were honed in the heat of an improvised lamp. 
The dance circle is formed by the colors of the  flowery skirts of the coreiras, the female dancers. In the center, one of them bears the image of St. Benedict over the head. The creole drum sounds are mixed with the voices and belly-to-belly movements of the dancers as an invitation for the next dancer to join the circle.
The creole drum from the state of Maranhao has been deemed immaterial heritage of Brazil by the Institute for National Artistic and Historical Heritage (Iphan) since 2007. It is estimated that there are over 200 drums throughout the state. Of these, 130 were recorded by the project Safeguarding of the Creole Drum. The demonstrations occur throughout the year, at no particular date, but the biggest events portrayed are the carnival and St. John´s feast.
Its origin is dubious - some say it came from Africa as a legitimate cultural manifestation. Others, like Lucia Franco, a true native dancer, report it was played by slaves to broadcast to neighboring slave rural ghettos any outcoming taking to flight. Dance was  a mere coverup.

AND THE WINNER OF THE CARNIVAL IN RIO IS...

UNIDOS DA TIJUCA!!!!

Just check out the drums during rehearsal before the D-Day!

HEARD OF NANÁ VASCONCELOS?

Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos, or Naná Vasconcelos,  was born in Recife in 1944. Even after two decades playing all around the world, he lived in Paris and New York, the influences of his homeland are present in everything that he does. He was for eight consecutive times acclaimed as the best drummer in the world by the U.S. magazine Down Beat. Gifted with an intense curiosity, ranging from the classical music of the Brazilian Villa-Lobos to the rocker Jimi Hendrix, Naná learned  how to play almost all percussion instruments, although in the 60’s he had specialized himself in the berimbau. Nana's work has always demonstrated the wideness of his talent, and in the 80’s he recorded the album "Saudade”, a concert for berimbau and orchestra. After that, he presented the albums "Bush Dance" and "Rain Dance", his experiments with electronic instruments.

 More detailed information about the artist can be found on his website - http://www.nanavasconcelos.com.br