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About Olá Samba

 

Open

 

Always open and supportive to people giving it a go. No experience required!

 

Professional

 

Workshops are always timely and professional. But that certainly doesn't mean they're boring!

 

Inspiring

 

 

The name Olá Samba says it all; say 'hello' to Samba! Olá Samba aims to open up the exciting, inspiring world of samba drumming, and Music as a whole, to as many people as possible.

What is Samba?

 

Samba is most famous for being at the very heart of the Rio Carnival, where it is fast, loud, and full of energy. Samba is a song and a dance but it is this blended with its percussion that makes it so captivating.

In the UK, many have adopted the word 'samba' to cover a wider range of Brazilian music. Olá Samba teaches authentic carnival samba alongside tastes of other Brazilian music such as Samba Reggae of the Blocos Afros in Bahia, Maracatu of the Naçoes in Pernambuco, some  music of the sacred Candomblé traditions as well as rhythms from around the world such as Funk, Hip-Hop and Bhangra. 

 

All of Olá Samba's workshops are run on authentic Rio-style Brazilian percussion instruments, made in Brazil.

Want to read more about the complicated answer to this simple question?

David Walter BSc (Hons) MMus

 

 

David Walter founded Olá Samba in 2011 and he currently runs all of Olá Samba's workshops and performances.

 

David is an expert in Brazilian percussion, having learned from some of the best tutors around the world. As well as having toured and studied in Rio de Janeiro, he has played with and taught many groups in the UK, Singapore and New York.

 

Not only does David have a 1st Class degree in Psychology from the University of Warwick, and a Masters in Music from the University of Bath Spa, he has been an active musician as long as he can remember. From learning the piano at age 5, through playing guitar and fronting several bands throughout school and University, to composing music for TV and Film, David lives and breathes music. 

 

Based in Cheltenham, David is thrilled to have established Olá Samba throughout Gloucestershire, and beyond.

 

 

 

David Walter with sambistas around the world

 

Absolutely wonderful - what an experience! Well done to all the guys at Olá Samba.
- David Smith, Radio Gloucestershire
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