Ailton Nunes, director of the Mangueira samba school, tours the U.S.

Ailton Nunes, the director of Rio's oldest samba school still in competition, Mangueira, is touring the U.S. as a guest instructor, bringing Mangueira's style of samba to percussion schools in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, among other places. This is the first time these cities have had a visit from a samba instructor of his stature visiting in this capacity; samba enthusiasts therefore consider his visit a milestone in the States.  He was part of the faculty at last year's Brazil Camp California, where for two one-week sessions he taught Mangueira's rhythms and breaks to a highly advanced group of samba percussionists.  The subsequent performance of the Advanced Bateria class was phenomenal. 

Advanced Bateria class with Ailton Nunes - California Brazil Camp 2012, Week #1

Ailton's stop in New York City is being hosted by Samba New York, and is almost sold out even though it's still almost two weeks away.  The fact that there are enough advanced players in the U.S. to fill up master classes in more than three cities speaks to the vitality and maturity of the samba percussion scene in this country.  Even though samba is not an instrinsic part of the culture here the way it is in Brazil, it's a scene that, while still small, has clearly come a long way.  This workshop tour by such a high-profile director will further strengthen this small but very active and vibrant community.

I did not hear back from Ailton in time to include his comments in this piece -- he just finished his class at the Samba da Mudança school in L.A., and is probably really busy -- but Mangueira is a highly respected part of the Grupo Especial, the elite group of samba schools at the forefront of Rio's Carnaval.  Based in the heart of Rio's working-class North Zone, Mangueira is known for a lot of "firsts".  Their full, official name, "Estação Primeira de Mangueira" refers to the neighborhood of Mangueira's place as the first stop on the railroad, right after Central Station.  But they were also the first to win a Carnaval championship, the first to use a surdo in the bateria, and the first to create a theme or "enredo" around their parade.  They are also, now, the first to send a high-level instructor on a workshop tour to the United States. 

Mestre Ailton Nunes will be in Chicago on April 6, and in New York City on April 14.  Places in the New York City workshop are limited, mostly because physical space is limited.  Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Philip Galinsky immediately at Samba New York at info@sambanewyork.com.