KCC Productions and the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council Present an Afternoon of Brazilian Music with Batuke Samba Funk, and Special Guests the Paulo Gualano Drum Ensemble featuring Batucada and Samba Dancers.
Saturday, January 22
Showtime is from 3 to 4:30 PM.
North Shore Open Space Park
Collins Avenue and 81st Street
Miami Beach
Admission is free.
Bring something to sit on unless you plan to spend the time dancing!

On Saturday, January 22, North Shore Open Space Park will groove to the sounds of Brazil beginning at 3 PM. Featured will be the outstanding band “Batuke Samba Funk”, combining the best of Brazilian batuke rhythms, jazz, and funk in a single band. They will be accompanied by special guests, the drummers of the Paulo Gualano Drum Ensemble featuring dancers directed by the incomparable Ludmilla Fleury.

Batuke is the act of drumming on any surface, or with any object, that makes a sound. Recycled cans, plastic buckets and pieces of scrap metal have all been transformed into percussive instruments that enhance the musical atmosphere of this group established by Diogo Oliveira in 2008.

The core of Batuke Samba Funk comprises four musicians based in Miami. The group offers a fusion of Brazilian rhythms including samba and samba rock with classic American funk. While the core group consists of bass, drums, keyboard and voice, the ensemble is joined by trombone, female vocals and Brazilian percussion when performing with their full 7-piece configuration.

Also included in the program is a performance by Miami Beach’s own Capoeira Abolição Academy. Capoeira is the unique Afro-Brazilian art form that combines martial arts, music and dance.

Batuke is the act of drumming on any surface, or with any object, that makes a sound. Recycled cans, plastic buckets and pieces of scrap metal have all been transformed into percussive instruments that enhance the musical atmosphere of this group established by Diogo Oliveira in 2008.

The core of Batuke Samba Funk comprises four musicians based in Miami, Florida. The group offers a fusion of Brazilian rhythms including samba and samba rock with classic American funk. While the core group consists of bass, drums, keyboard and voice, the ensemble is joined by trombone, female vocals and Brazilian percussion when performing with their full 7-piece configuration.

Bassist, composer and musical producer Diogo Oliveira is the creator of Batuke Samba Funk. He is one of the most recognized and accomplished Brazilian musicians working in South Florida. One of his recent musical productions, Braziian Voices Funky Jazz Show, was awarded “Best Show of the Year” by the Brazilian Press Awards in 2010.

Batuke’s keyboard and woodwinds are performed by Brian Wolfe, an American originally from Alabama. Wolfe is multi-talented…songwriter, composer and musical producer with particular focus on horn and string arrangements.

Goran Rista provides the dynamic drumming style that is a signature of Batuke. Originally from Serbia, Rista brings a drumming style defined by clean execution, mutli-layered range and intense power that evoke an instantaneous interplay between music and emotion.

The featured vocalist of Batuke is Robson Coccaro, an accomplished singer, music producer and event designer. He is one of the most distinctive vocal talents in the US, offering a sublime synthesis of groove and melodic character that have helped establish Batuke as one of the most sought after bands in Miami.