Eli and students from Corpos Percussivos

We arrived in Recife in the north eastern Brazil on Monday.  No sooner did we arrive then we visited the famous school of Maracatou Drumming called Corpos Percussivos.  We were instantly enthralled by the great energy in the room.  The students were fully engaged physically, mentally and emotionally in the extraordinary rhythms and spirit of the music…

Maracatou at Corpos Percussivos, Ponto De Cultura TAMBORES DO PILAR

Their teacher Marivaldo, is just 19 and what an incredible teacher he is!  So focused, demanding, expressive, in-tune and filled with love for the music and his students.

Maracatou teacher extraordinaire, Marivaldo and Eli at Corpos Percussivos

Clearly this place is a place of pilgrimage for percussionists from all over the world.  It was beautiful to see the grand patriarch Elvin Jones smiling down on what was happening…

Tuba player/educator, Bob Stewart watches students as Elvin Jones smiles from the wall...

Our drummer, LaFrae Sci, sat in with the group on drum set and soon became an integral part of what was going on…

LaFrae Sci sits in with Maracatou

We were certain this was just a beginning and thankfully our wishes came true.  More to come soon…