The chugging rhythms of Samba traveled from the predominantly black state of Bahia in northern Brazil, down to Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century. There it spawned several offshoots, among them the loud, chanted Samba Enredo which powers annual Carnaval parades and competitions to this day, and Samba-Cancao, which features more complex harmonies and lyrics. Instrumentation (including the size of the
percussion section) varies with style and place, but Samba roots are strong in its offspring: Bossa Nova, Tropicalia, and
MPB (
Brazilian pop). Samba itself is meanwhile alive, vibrant, and well at each year's Carnaval.
Paulinho Da Viola, Bebel Gilberto, João Gilberto, Agepê, Jorge Ben Jor,
Zeca Pagodinho, Chico Da Silva, Curumin,
Bezerra Da Silva, Samba Squad, Clara Nunes, Elza Soares, Rosalia De Souza, Almir Guineto, Martinho Da Vila, Arlindo Cruz, Beth Carvalho, Carmen Miranda, Nelson Sargento, Sergio Mendes, Seu Jorge, Clementina De Jesus, Alcione, Ary
Barroso, Noel Rosa, Chico Buarque, and Wilson Moreira.