Member Since: 03/05/2006
Band Members: John Evans (director), Bryan Osper, Fritz Danhausen, Ollie Crane, Kevin Repp, Nick Duckworth, Jesse Haberman, Dvarayah Trugman ...Alumni include: Rob Peterson, Amy Cadle, Nick Fabin, Rudy Slizewski, , Simon Lucas, Jesse Jonathan, Robbie Douglas, Verena Reece, Melody Walker, Tien Tai, Jonathan Kipp, John Thomas, Daniel Grantz, Brett Huska, Rebekah Downey, Tricia Baxter, Tyler Hunt, Jeff Brennan
Influences: Dr. Eugene Novotney has been the godfather of our group, teaching Samba at Humboldt State University and leading trips to Brazil to study percussion. We are also influenced by the Brazilian groups Ile Aiye, Olodum, Timbalada, Manguiera and Beija Flor. Many members of Bloco Firmeza have performed in Brazil with the groups Kizumba and Estacio de Sa. Many thanks to our teachers in Brazil: Marivaldo, Mario, Guillherme Goncalves, and Beira. Props to the yankees: Mark Lamson, Michael Spiro, Marcio Peeter and many more...
Sounds Like: A massive tsunami of sound and rhythm headed your way: you must shake your booty or perish. We are a percussive group that plays Samba Reggae from Salvador and Samba Batucada from Rio de Janeiro plus many other styles from Brazil. We also sing songs from the folkloric traditions of Capoeira, Candomble, and Santeria.
Type of Label: Major