Samba holidays

Characterised by its great diversity, the origins of Brazil's music lie in its AmerIndian, Portuguese and African roots, and today it is firmly embedded into the Brazilian way of life. Samba, a fusion of Spanish Bolero and African rhythms, was first heard in urban Rio during the early 20th century after slaves migrated from Bahia and settled in Rio. Its golden age materialised during the 1930s soon after the emergence of Escolas de samba, which soon became the scene for song writing for Carnaval. It wasn't long before the celebrated annual festival became inextricably linked with this lively, rhythmical form of music, which had very much developed into a symbol of national identity. Two decades later saw the birth of Bossa Nova – literally translated as "New Wave" – which generated a new era of Brazilian music. Samba's basic rhythm was slowed down creating a more intimate and seductive melody, and by the 1960s it became an international success. It was hugely influenced by and influential to American Jazz and Blues; musical legends such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald adapted Bossa Nova classics and recorded their own versions. Read more