Samba Galêz
From Cardiffpedia
The Band
Samba Galêz has become one of the largest community-based Samba bands in the UK with around 50 members of all ages coming from different cultural backgrounds and ranging from accomplished musicians to those with no previous musical experience. New members are always welcome and can join the band after completing our informal 'Access Course' where they learn basic rhythms and try out different percussion instruments. We are led by Simon Preston, who has been the band’s musical director since 1991.
Our Name
Samba – because we play the kind of drums and other percussion instruments found in a typical Brazilian samba batucada. Galêz – A variation on the Portuguese for Wales (We were previously called Samba Galês).
The Music
Our musical repertoire is based on afro-centric rhythms spanning the world from Brazil to Cuba (rumba, rumba francessa), Senegalese sabar inspired rhythms, Tanzanian nines and so on. Our strength lies in being able to multi-layer them through a system of top secret signals that can shift grooves sideways, backwards and even metrically-modulating them on occasions which is as much fun for the players as it is for our audience (we hope). Why? Because nobody knows what is happening next. That way we we constantly surprise both you and ourselves with completely unplanned rhythmic revelations that defy categorization. Since its early days the band has been under the direction of Simon Preston, who has performed throughout the United Kingdom, and studied in Brazil, Cuba and Africa on many occasions. Simon leads Samba Galêz in the majority of the public performances and at weekly workshops. He has also been responsible for the production of two CDs of the band, "Samba Galês" (1996) and "Claro" (2001). These CD's have been produced with the financial assistance from a number of ‘Business Angels’ from within Samba Galêz.
Workshops and Performances The band meet every Saturday for workshops at Willows School, Splott, in Cardiff; and at occasional weekend retreats, which focus on fun as well as musical development.
Beginner’s ten week ‘Access Courses’ are led by Robyn Moran and Nick Johns in the Autumn. These introduce the basic skills and rhythms needed to join the band and give people the chance to try out different instruments. The courses are open to everyone - no previous musical knowledge or experience is necessary.
Samba Galêz play 20 to 30 performances each year, as well as Saturday afternoon busks in The Hayes area of Cardiff city centre. Performances include high-profile events, such as Glastonbury Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, WOMAD and, in May 2002 and 2003, the prestigious Samba Encounter in Brighton. The band has also played at major sporting events, such as the Rugby World Cup Final (1999), the Wales v. Brazil soccer international (2000) and the Worthington Cup Final (2001), all played at the Millennium Stadium.
However, Samba Galêz also enjoy performing at local carnivals and smaller venues and events throughout Wales and it is considered important that connections are maintained with local communities and organisations in Wales through these performances.
Our Origin
Samba Galêz was established in 1990 as part of a programme of community based arts and performance initiatives promoted by the South Wales Inter Cultural Arts (SWICA). Following amicable discussions and negotiations between SWICA and representatives of Samba Galêz in 2001, it was decided that Samba Galêz should become a properly constituted body independent from SWICA.
A Constitution and Governing Document for an Unincorporated Association was adopted by Samba Galêz in 2001. This document sets out objectives, which are charitable; activities, which include training and performance; membership criteria; structure, which includes Committee structure and mode of operation; and financial provisions. From November 2004 onwards, minutes from the Committee meetings are available on the website in the Samba Galêz Members' Area. User name and password are required to view these.
Current Activities
Samba Galêz supported the establishment of the UK Samba Association at the Brighton Samba Encounter Conference held in May 2003. As part of the lead up to this event, a short report "Samba Groups in Wales: A Snapshot" was prepared to supplement the much larger report commissioned by the Drama Department of the Arts Council of England as part of the National Carnival Policy Consultation process for the U.K. Samba Galêz look forward to contributing towards the development of the UKSA's activities in the future.
Samba Galêz is now established as one of the premier community samba bands in the United Kingdom, combining performance with training. There is a strong desire by members of the band, both individually and collectively, to further extend the activities and enhance the profile of the band.
During October 2003, for example, a percussion and dance training project was established at Willows High School, which is the base for group's rehearsals and Access Courses.
The First Welsh Encontro was organised and hosted by Samba Galêz in June 2004 and proved to be a big success. Inspired by this event, a far more ambitious event, the aptly named Second Welsh Encontro, was again organised and hosted by Samba Galêz over the bank holiday weekend April 30th - May 2nd 2005 in Cardiff. This proved to be a hugely successful event, with hundreds of sambistas from all over the UK (and beyond!) descending on Cardiff Bay for a memorable weekend of workshops, individual busks, the Celtic Connections Showcase and the impressive Sambadrome mass performance. A DVD of the weekend has been produced and is available through this website.
