Republic of Swing

Big rio samba in the heart of Manchester! 

Republic of Swing play samba as powerfully and authentically as possible, with ‘Coraçao’ and with respect and love for the inspirational rhythms of Brazil.

Unlike many other percussion groups we focus on Rio carnival Samba (Batucada) and the latest Samba-Funk grooves.  Anyone with a little drumming or dance experience is welcome to come down to our rehearsals.  We also do workshops and open sessions where anyone can come along. 

We hold open sessions where anyone can come along and join us preparing for fantastic events across the North West and beyond!  

We welcome anyone new to drumming or dance to come down to the MEDIA CENTRE (CMC) 216 CHAPEL STREET BEXLEY SQ SALFORD M3 6 BY  (Monday 7-9pm). See www.republicofswing.com for more details as venues may occasionally change.

The Republic of Swing Bateria (percussion and dance group) started in Spring 2004. For fun, we had a ‘graduation’ gig at the Music Box Manchester and went out as 'The Republic of Swing Bateria’.  It went down so well we decided to keep the name and band going and we have been in almost constant demand ever since. 

We have played, amongst others, 'All That Jazz', one of the top funk/latin nights in the country, the Manchester 'Streets Ahead' and ‘D-Percussion’ festivals and led the opening parade for ‘Pride’ week in Manchester for the past four years.  We also Played the Liverpool Samba Parade and carnival in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as many other carnivals and gigs throughout the North.

Alex, the Director, played in rock bands for many years and has studied percussion in Cuba and The Gambia.  He studied and played in the 2006 and 2008 Rio carnivals with G.R.E.S. Escola de Samba do Parque Curiçica, a well established and respected Samba School.  Alex also went ‘behind the scenes’ in Rio, visiting many of the huge ‘Grupo Especial’ Samba Schools in their final preparations for Carnival.