Spreading the word about Capoeira and its roots

Dancer Frances Santana teaching samba-de-roda

Mestres João Grande and Cobrinha

You can hear Moraes singing in the background - this was probably shot shortly before I joined GCAP.

My last roda?

João Grande invited me to play in his roda when I visited his school in New York in February 2007. I've just realised that, for health reasons, that might be the last time I'll ever play Capoeira, so I've decided to post it. I started out a bit rusty - I hadn't played in over 10 years - but limbered up towards the end (I'm the one in the blue jeans).

João Grande on Berimbau

When I first met João Grande in 1987, this legendary Capoeira master was performing for tourists at restaurant (A Moenda), playing berimbau and wearing a giant floppy Mexican hat. Now he has an honorary PhD and his own school in NYC. There is justice in this world, pre- and post-Obama.

João Grande - one of Capoeira's greatest "jazz stylists"

I filmed this in February 2007 and am publishing it as a respectful tribute to a great friend and talented Capoeirista who happens to be - in my humble opinion - one of the great unknown jazz stylists of our time - "Capoeira jazz." Enjoy.