Brazilian Samba Batucada (Community Workshop)
Led by Negin Bahrami
January 24, 10:00 AM
Black Box Theatre
Explore Samba Batucada — a percussion-driven music of Afro-Brazilian origin that pulses with rhythm, unity, and cultural pride. This introductory hands-on workshop invites participants to experience the vibrant energy and rhythms of the bateria — the powerful percussion ensemble of a samba school that drives Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Carnival parades, often featuring 250–300 drummers performing in exhilarating unison. Participants will learn about samba’s rich history, then dive into an interactive introduction to its core instruments that make up a bateria: surdo, caixa, repinique, tamborim, and chocalho. They’ll explore the fundamentals of samba rhythm, call-and-response patterns, transitions, and breaks — discovering how each part interlocks to create samba’s signature swing (ginga). Focusing on ensemble playing, listening, and groove, the workshop culminates in a full-group experience that captures the energy and collective spirit of a live samba bateria — one of the world’s most vibrant and unifying musical traditions.
Video: https://youtu.be/_xTky6TAlaA?si=oVAoeHbnoYe16oDB
About Negin Bahrami:
For over twenty years, Negin Bahrami has been immersed in the vibrant world of Brazilian samba batucada drumming. Trained in Toronto and Rio de Janeiro, she began her journey in 2002 with renowned percussionist Rick Lazar and soon became a core member of Samba Squad, performing across Canada as well as sharing the stage with Jesse Cook.
In 2004, after experiencing her first of many Carnivals in Rio, Negin co-founded Batucada Carioca with Brazilian master percussionist Maninho Costa. Together, they helped shape Toronto’s samba scene, performing alongside major Brazilian artists Monobloco and opening for Carlinhos Brown and Ivete Sangalo.
Negin’s dedication to samba has taken her deep into Rio’s blocos and top-tier samba schools, culminating in the honour of parading in the legendary Sambódromo with the bateria of Acadêmicos do Grande Rio under the leadership of Mestre Odilon. In 2013, Negin realized a creative initiative she had spent a year developing — Encontro de Baterias. The project brought together Toronto’s four samba groups for the first time: Escola de Samba de Toronto, Samba Squad, Batucada Carioca, and Samba Elégua. Over 100 drummers were united in one large bateria attempting to recreate the sound and energy of the samba school rehearsals in Rio. Encontro de Baterias was a resounding success and a powerful example of music as a community-driven art form, celebrating collaboration and shared passion.
Now based in Kelowna, Negin continues to celebrate and share the essence of samba batucada drumming. For her, it’s not just music — it’s a rhythm that shapes her identity and fuels her connection to culture and community. She remains dedicated to sharing its spirit and traditions by bringing people together through the music she loves.
