Part carnival performance, part masterclass in how a samba school bateria works. Catch Carnaval Transatlântico, presented by JP Percussion, live in the Percussion Experience Room, where a 15-piece Brazilian samba bateria takes over the stage. Led by renowned percussionist JP Courtney, the band is joined by Brazilian singer Chris Zainotte and cavaquinho player Jeremy Shaverin, bringing vocals and melody alongside the drums. The session mixes live performance with JP breaking down the core rhythms that hold the percussion section together, before showing how the same instruments and ideas can be pushed into completely different musical territory.

Carnaval Transatlântico made history as the first non-Brazilian group ever to officially perform in Rio’s street carnival, a genuine world first for this UK-based band, which is now looking for new members. JP has specialised in Brazilian carnival percussion since 1999, spending long stretches of time in Rio itself leading workshops and playing alongside some of the city’s samba schools. That hands-on experience feeds directly into the course he runs and into the band, which plays the traditional bateria line-up of surdos, repiques, tamborims and other percussion, each section holding down its own part within the rhythm to build the layered sound of Rio’s samba schools and street blocos.

In Brazil, a full samba school bateria can run to hundreds of players, so seeing even a 15-piece version up close gives a real sense of how those parts interlock to drive the sound. It’s a rare chance to see genuine Brazilian carnival percussion up close outside of Rio itself.

Fancy joining the band? Carnaval Transatlântico is on the lookout for new members, with an open day in Birmingham on the 8th of November. JP Percussion also runs a percussion immersion course in Rio de Janeiro, plus courses closer to home across the UK. Come find us at booth E11 during the show and get a discount when you sign up for the band or the Rio course.

Carnaval Transatlântico are appearing in association with JP Percussion.