Sunsamba are a percussion band based in Sunderland, in the north-east of England, specialising in Latin American music. We rehearse weekly, and gig regularly around the region, as well as running workshops and educational sessions. On this site you can find details of the music that we play, gigs we have coming up, how to book us, and how to join in and become part of the band, as well as links to other musical resources.

The band seek to promote music participation for all, regardless of age or experience, and are always happy to welcome new members. Please contact Tracy with any booking enquiries.

The band have played many gigs and events across the region. These include: playing in front of tens of thousand of people at the Stadium of Light before the final of the UEFA European Under-16 Championships, at the Great North Run, at the Washington International Kite Festival (where the band have played for most of the last eight years), Durham Miner's Gala, BBC Music Week, University of Sunderland Concerts on Campus, various carnivals and street events. We were commissioned by poet Kevin Cadwallender to do the musical backing for his performances as part of Durham County Council's Sharp Stick Poetry Initiative, and took part in a poetry and music roadshow across County Durham.

The band also lead educational workshops, going in to schools and nurseries to introduce children to a hands-on experience of performing percussion music. Sunsamba member Andy Wright led the Funsamba event, which was a successful project which brought together 13 primary schools in a Samba Parade through the streets to Hylton Castle, where the thousands of children and their teachers performed in the castle grounds.

We play percussion music, mostly Afro-Brazilian in origin, in a variety of styles, including batucada, samba-reggae, afroxe, baion, Afro-Cuban 6/8 and others.

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