A group of drummers you’ve no doubt seen at the Toronto Street Music Festival is turning 25 and celebrating with a special free show.
Since 1999, Samba has been bringing the beats of Brazil to the streets of Toronto, sharing a love of music and dance with the city – and with a quarter of a century behind them, it’s safe to say they’ve succeeded .
“I’m not the only one who says Samba Squad changed my life, but it saved my life more than once,” Lyba Spring, one of the group’s founding members, told blogTO.
Led by award-winning percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar, Samba Squad was born in a studio at 401 Richmond, where a small group of people gathered to create music and magic.
“Rick grew the band from a small group of enthusiastic (mostly amateur) players into a rock-solid entertainment powerhouse,” Leba said.
Since then, the group (which, according to Lyba, has “ebbed and flowed” over the years) has performed at festivals across the country, including Toronto favorites like JazzFest and St. Clair’s Salsa.
This year is no different: Squad has a number of shows lined up for the upcoming festival season, and it all kicks off with a free show at Stackt Market to mark their 25th anniversary.
Welcome to another year of Samba Squad bringing smiles to your face with a night of dancing and drumming on March 29th from 8pm to 11pm on the Market’s Blue Moon Stage.
“Our free show at Stakt is a thank you to Toronto for all your love and support
The support we have provided together over the past 25 years,” said Rick Shadrach Lazar. “One heart, one heart, one rhythm. Get out in peace.”
