A Samba School in Harlem

Harlem Samba is a Brazilian Percussion ensemble modeled after the samba school baterias of the Rio de Janeiro carnival. The group's members are students, alumni and friends of the Frederick Douglass Academy, a high performing public high school in Harlem, New York City.

Harlem Samba is available to play all types of events. We have several performance options ranging from as small as six players to as many as 75. Stage shows including singers, cavaquinho and dancers are also available. Contact us for your next event.

The School

The Director

Clinton Global Citizen Awards

Nickelodeon Halo Awards

Class

Everyone Can Learn

The program was founded in 2005 as a small after school program for students with interest in percussion. Since then it has grown to include to over 250 beginner students, each learning the basics of their chosen samba instrument while exploring the music of a new culture.

Bateria

For Those with Experience

The performing bateria is made up of 40 students in their second, third or fourth year of playing. This group swells to over seventy members from the school community for large parades and concerts. Alumni and other experienced NYC samba players are often invited to perform in the main bateria.

Performances

Our Proudest Moments

Harlem Samba has performed at the Clinton Global Citizen Awards with the Roots, Brasilfest at South Street Seaport, Carnival with Alô Brasil at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square,Red Hot and Rio 2 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lincoln Center's Out of Doors Festival, Fashion's Night Out at Osklen in Soho, the Brazil Foundation Gala, and at the Broward County Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.