Samba band add Sugababes spice

SAMBA drummers from Liverpool are to perform by royal appointment.

The city's Community Samba Band will support the Sugababes at the Royal Variety Performance next month.

Twenty-one members of the band will drum live onstage while the girl band, whose members include Liverpool's Heidi Range, sing Hole in the Head.

The samba band was approached after the Liverpool-born drummer who tours with the Sugababes suggested they become part of the band's set for the royal event.

The Royal Variety Performance is on Monday, December 4, at the London Coliseum in front of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Among stars on the bill are Take That, Meatloaf, James Morrison, Barry Manilow, John Barrowman and the cast from the new productions of The Sound of Music and Spamalot.

Stephen Murray, co-founder of the Batala Community Samba Band, said: "We've a full day's rehearsal with the Sugababes in London next week."

Batala is a form of Samba drum music which originated in north eastern Brazil. The Batala Community Samba Band was set up in February 2005.

It has 35 members with more than 20 hopefuls on the waiting list. Mr Murray said: "We've had the most fantastic exposure over the last 12 months, starting with playing in front of Paul McCartney in January.

"Throughout the summer we really launched ourselves and we played at the Notting Hill Carnival with Samba bands from across Europe.

"Our only problem at the moment is finding somewhere in Liverpool city centre to rehearse. We're currentlyhaving to practise in Widnes. Wherever it is needs to be well soundproofed."

Viewers will have to wait until Tuesday, December 12, to see the Royal Variety Performance on television. TheBatala band will be playing in St Helens town centre on Thursday, December 21.

Source: icLiverpool

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