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 WKYC Features Marcus Santos & Samba Joia! |
What We Do
We perform interactive Brazilian grooves using movement, call & response, and song with our audiences. Our intricate arrangements were written by Marcus Santos, our artistic director, who is from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Audiences come alive with the exciting music that we create together. Cindy Hill of Shaker Heights is our dynamic director.
Who We Are
Samba Joia is an Afro-Brazilian drumming group (bloco or bateria). Our mission is to build community through the sharing of vibrant Brazilian music and culture, wherever we are called. The Portugese word “Joia” translates to Jewel, but also has a modern connotation of “cool,” such as in the expression “ todo joia” or “everything’s cool.”
Click here to check out one of our performances!
Where Have We Played?
Sarava Restaurant (2007-9) Parade the Circle (2008-9) Tropical Cleveland’s “Carnival” (2007-9) at the View and Silk Nightclubs Race for the Cure (2007-8) Walk, Rock and Roll for the Diversity Center (2009) “Kicking It with Kenny” Fox 8 News (2008-9) IngenuityFest (2008-9) Shaker Heights Arts Council “Summer Solstice” (2008-9) Choral Arts Cleveland “Song with a Drum” (2009) Brazilian Independence Day (2008)
Book a Show Today!
Contact Cindy Hill (216)-375-3896
Wanna Join Us?
JOIA Rehearsals
Thursdays 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Plymouth Church 2860 Coventry Shaker Heights, Fellowship Hall
Membership
We are open to ages 16 and up. We prefer to accept music readers and experienced drummers, but we can accept two beginners every 6 months, who will start on surdo or shaker. Anyone who plays with Samba Joia must sign a one year member agreement, which clarifies expectations for each player.
What do you receive in return?
- Free use of an instrument (or you can purchase/ bring your own). You must sign a rental agreement to take it home.
- Samba Joia uniform shirt (property of Rhythm Culture – must be returned on leaving).
- Take home transcriptions, CDs and other learning materials after you attend 2 rehearsals in a row.
- Paid gigs are available for those who audition for our professional group, but there are also opportunities for performing as volunteers while you are learning.
- Workshops with Marcus are also included at no charge.
History of Samba Schools
We are modeling a neighborhood bloco or neighborhoo drum group, based on the music that our music director, Marcus Santos, grew up with in his hometown of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. These blocos often work in conjunction with a Samba school. Samba schools, which started off in Rio de Janeiro in 1928, have evolved around the centerpiece event of the Rio Carnaval. The schools parade down a lane lined with grandstands, thousands of members per school dressed in coordinated costumes, dancing a rehearsed samba routine to original music.