Grooversity - Afro-Brazilian percussion workshops and performances for school assemblies - Arts For Learning Massachusetts
ARTISTS

ARTISTS

Grooversity

Type: Performance, Workshop, Remote
Art Form: Music, Exploring Cultures
Grade Level: K - 12

Grooversity is an innovative drumming network envisioned and led by Brazilian percussionist Marcus Santos. Grooversity’s goal is to promote Afro-Brazilian percussion as an educational resource, entertainment and as a catalyst for social change. Grooversity focuses on community outreach for positive outcomes while targeting global diversity awareness.

Ensemble leader and teaching artist Marcus Santos, is a native of Bahia, Brazil. He commits his life to the study, teaching and performance of his hometown’s Afro-Brazilian music and heritage. He has led numerous workshops on Afro-Brazilian percussion and music for Social Change in universities and conventions around the world, including MIT, Harvard, Brown University and Universidad Central de Venezuela and the Percussion Arts Society International Convention in 2007 and 2010.

Santos received a scholarship and completed his studies with honors at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has performed internationally; and has shared the stage with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera (9 Grammy wins), The Brand New Heavies, Orchestra La Passion (Osvaldo Golijov) and the Gipsy Kings.

The Brazilian Immigrant Center honored him with the ‘Outstanding Arts Performer’ award in 2008 and Berklee College of Music has awarded him as ‘Outstanding Percussionist’ in 2004.

Santos has been featured in his own produced DVD, “Modern Approach to Pandeiro,” the DVD “Musically Speaking II,” produced by BOSE, and on Sony Pictures’ “Rachel Getting Married” starring Ann Hathaway.

Currently, Santos is artistic director of drumming groups in six different states in the US; part of an effort to enact positive change by engaging communities through music.Marcus Santos’ passion for Afro-Brazilian music and culture comes through in each of his performances, classes and workshops.

Programs Offered

Dressed colorfully and wearing shades, Marcus Santos stands behind an array of Brazilian hand drums