RAW Samba

RAW Samba, based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, is a not-for-profit community band, which was established in 2001.

Welcome to RAW Samba

Originally funded through the Ryde Art Works programme (from which we took our name), RAW Samba has gone from strength to strength, with over 60 members who regularly practise each week.

Supported by Samba Solent dancers, we bring rhythm, fun and colour to every gig we play.

RAW Samba would like to give a big thank you to Wightlink for sponsoring our ferry crossings for our mainland performances.

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Origins of Samba

Samba is one of Brazil’s most iconic musical forms, born from the fusion of African, Indigenous, and European traditions. Its deepest roots lie in the rhythms and dances brought by enslaved Africans from West and Central Africa, who preserved their heritage through drumming, circle dances, and call-and-response singing.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Afro-Brazilian communities in Rio de Janeiro shaped samba into its modern and colourful form.

Samba schools originated in 1920s Rio de Janeiro, evolving from neighbourhood street groups. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian communities, they organized carnival parades, blending music, dance, and storytelling into Brazil’s most celebrated cultural spectacle.

Today, samba thrives in many styles, worldwide, but it remains rooted in Afro-Brazilian resilience and joy.

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Raw Sambas Training Programme

We are proud of RAW Samba’s role in introducing people to Samba, and give a warm welcome to new members.

Training takes place on Tuesday evenings in Ryde. Members pay a monthly membership fee to cover training costs, equipment and hire of the training venue.

Our Beginners’ Course runs on Monday evenings in September and October. If you wish to join the band please contact us through the contact form below or message us via our public facebook page. We can provide a selection of drums, but beginners do have to supply their own beaters and straps.

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Feedback

Hi Stella
A big thank you to you and the rest of the band and dancers – you were all amazing and added to the fantastic atmosphere!
You guys rock

From the organiser at portsfest 2023

On behalf of everybody connected to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary thank you so much to you all for giving up your time on Sunday to support us at our Open Day. It was a great day. Everybody I spoke to had a great time Raw Samba should be proud of themselves, their costumes are delightful and they were certainly loved by the spectators.

Lovely day at Southsea Show. RAWSOME SAMBA!!

We booked Raw Samba to play at Gipsy Moth IV’s homecoming in Cowes. The band provided a real party atmosphere and really turned the yacht’s homecoming into a truly celebratory event. The band were really professional and flexible to our needs, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Raw Samba to anyone who wants their event to go with a swing! UKSA, Cowes.

Huge thanks for your great efforts at the dockyard – it was not an easy one but with your help we made it! All the Dockyard people and, not least the punters, were full of praise so many thanks for your performances.

Everyone would like to extend our thanks and gratitude. It was a wonderful evening, made more by your exciting band and dancing.

Thank you for being at the Festival. So many people said how much they enjoyed your performances. It was good to work with such a professional group of people. You had your schedule and there you were! I wish we had been able to use you more. The band sounded great and the audience had a great time and I hope you all did.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and the Raw Samba Band for playing at the Hair Show last night! You were fabulous and really set the mood for the show! Everyone would like to extend our thanks and gratitude.

We booked you for our wedding after seeing you at Ryde Carnival… WOW you were fantastic, everyone loved it!.

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Photos and Videos

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