The Sambassadors of Groove's musical director is Russ Hinks.
Russ discovered samba at approximately 11am on a sunny morning at a WOMAD festival in Cornwall in the late 1980s. Wandering about aimlessly trying to dispel the fuzz of the night before, he found himself dancing maniacally and wondering how he felt so high for free!!
Russ was already an experienced kit drummer with various bands including Reko Reko from Leicester. He also spent many hours carting vinyl up and down stairs during his time as a DJ in the 1980s.
But the WOMAD experience signalled a new beginning. Joining the Birmingham School of Samba, Russ developed a passion and understanding of how this art form was all-encompassing and for any ability level. Captivated by such a positive musical experience Russ immersed himself in Latin percussion and has studied under present-day masters in the UK and Europe including Dudu Tucci, Raz Jayasuria, Sam Alexander and J.P. Courtney.
He instigated the Rugby School of Samba and then the Leamington School of Samba (Sambassadors of Groove) in 1998 where he is now the musical director. He continues to teach samba and percussion techniques in schools for the Warwickshire Music service, regularly delivers corporate workshops and has just begun another community project in North Warwickshire with players aged from 10 to 70.
You can contact Russ on 01788 542384 or 07941 680139 or by email at russ@sambassadorsofgroove.org.uk
Russ discovered samba at approximately 11am on a sunny morning at a WOMAD festival in Cornwall in the late 1980s. Wandering about aimlessly trying to dispel the fuzz of the night before, he found himself dancing maniacally and wondering how he felt so high for free!!
Russ was already an experienced kit drummer with various bands including Reko Reko from Leicester. He also spent many hours carting vinyl up and down stairs during his time as a DJ in the 1980s.
But the WOMAD experience signalled a new beginning. Joining the Birmingham School of Samba, Russ developed a passion and understanding of how this art form was all-encompassing and for any ability level. Captivated by such a positive musical experience Russ immersed himself in Latin percussion and has studied under present-day masters in the UK and Europe including Dudu Tucci, Raz Jayasuria, Sam Alexander and J.P. Courtney.
He instigated the Rugby School of Samba and then the Leamington School of Samba (Sambassadors of Groove) in 1998 where he is now the musical director. He continues to teach samba and percussion techniques in schools for the Warwickshire Music service, regularly delivers corporate workshops and has just begun another community project in North Warwickshire with players aged from 10 to 70.
You can contact Russ on 01788 542384 or 07941 680139 or by email at russ@sambassadorsofgroove.org.uk
