Baque de Axe

Baque de Axé are a London based band playing traditional Maracatu Carnival percussion music from Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil. Affiliated with one of the oldest surviving Maracatu bands, Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico, we play in concert halls and clubs, parade in street carnivals, perform at private events, teach workshops and classes in percussion and dance.

We play a style of Maracatu called ‘Maracatu de Baque Virado’ Portuguese for ‘Maracatu of the turning beat', reflecting the syncopation and interaction of the beats. This traditional form of carnival parading, percussion and dance has deep roots in Afro-Brazilian traditions and is a major form of carnival in Recife, Brazil. The instruments of Maracatu are the alfaia (drum), abê (shekerê), gonguê (bell), caixa (snare drum), and atabaque (timbau).

We were formed by our leader Sam Alexander back in 2002 under the original name of Maracatu Estrela do Norte. During an extended trip to Brazil in 2017 Sam stayed with Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico in the community of Bode in Recife, spending 6 months immersed in their music and culture. On his return to London our name was changed to Baque de Axé, and we became affiliated to Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico in the songs and rhythms we play.

We aim to enhance awareness of the history of the Maracatu Naçãos (nations) of Brazil, of the Afro-Brazilian background of the slave trade, of Candomblé, a religion practiced in Brazil, and of the Maracatu music of today that is derived from these traditions. ‘Axé’ is a Yoruba word, which crossed the Atlantic to Brazil, originally meaning the spiritual power and energy bestowed upon practitioners by the pantheon of Orixás, the Yoruba gods. For us this becomes the communal spirit and strength that performing arouses in us.