SamBhangra
SamBhangra builds on the musical cross-fertilisation of the Bollywood Brass Band, adding a samba percussion bateria and additional dhol drummers.
This fusion of sounds is made visible by adding Four By Four Dancers (who dance Bhangra - Punjabi folk style), and a group of Brazilian samba dancers. The SamBhangra ensemble normally consists of 7 horn players, 9 samba percussionists, 3 dhol drummers, 4 Bhangra dancers and 4 samba dancers.
This collaborative group plays songs from both Brazil and India, combining rhythms from both places. On a favourite Punjabi bhangra song, Gur Nalon Ishk Mitha (Love is sweeter than Sugar), the bateria play sambareggae, the dhols play chaal - the essential bhangra beat, the horns play an arrangement influenced by UK remix artist Bally Sagoo, and both sets of dancers are featured. The audience dance too!
The various groups are capable of performing independently, or in different combinations up to the full ensemble as described. All of these performances can be on stage, in procession or acoustic in a location.
SamBhangra! was premiered in October 1995, and has been seen across the UK since at various festivals and events including: Respect Festival in Finsbury Park, London World Cup Cycling in Rochester, Streets Ahead in Manchester , and the Millennium Bridge Opening Ceremony.
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