From the Samba theme songs of Rio's Carnival parade, to the rhythmic drumming of Capoeira dancing, and the soft atmospheric melodies of Bossa Nova, there is little doubt that Brazil's main culture is music. For over six decades, musicians such as Carmen Miranda, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Banana, Gilberto Gil, Raul de Souza, João Gilberto, Bola Sete, and Walter Wanderley have entertained and enchanted audiences in Brazil and around the world. Influenced in part by European, African, and indigenous musical traditions, Brazilian music has consistently mixed new styles and genres. Following the cultural and musical experimentation of the Tropicalia movement during the 1960s, Brazilian music today is diverse as ever blending elements of jazz, folk, rock, funk, African rhythms, electronica, and hip hop.
The following Brazilian ensembles have performed at Ashkenaz in the past year:
- California Brazil Camp
- Capoeira Mandinga
- Entre Nos
- Ginga Brasil
- Pandeiros Do Brasil
- Sensa Samba