Buy our CD's online at - Music Scotland http://www.musicscotland.com/cd/macumba-musicscotland.html
MacUmba are a group of musicians based in Scotland who take a unique approach by mixing the traditional sounds of Scottish bagpipes with the rhythms of Brazilian percussion.
MacUmba began as a batucada (or drumming group) in the early 90's which grew out of a series of drumming workshops held at the Glasgow School of Art. Later they added various combinations of flutes, guitars, bass, voices etc. to the batucada, and performed at many events throughout Scotland.
The inception of the current MacUmba formation was created when they were asked to play at a major football (soccer) cup final. MacUmba decided to add bagpipes to the batucada to be more in line with the football tradition of pipe bands.
This combination proved hugely popular and since then MacUmba have played at many events and festivals all over the World.
The normal instrumentation of the band is three pipers and five percussionists, although they may also be augmented by the addition of Scottish and/or Brazilian dancers.
Pictures of MacUmba recording the latest album due out later in 2008!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Also I run The Great Edinburgh Run as part of team Finola and did a gig to help send Finola Forman to college as the government in Scotland unlike the rest of the UK wont help disabled people with complex needs when they want to go into further education, check out her site at
An amazing supporting lineup, full Bombskare set then DJs till 3am. And the album will be onsale, of course... Tickets now available from Ripping Records (Edinburgh) and Tickets Scotland (Edinburgh/Glasgow). £7 in advance.
For those who would like a reliable introduction to Brazilian music, the revised 3rd edition of "The Brazilian Sound: Samba, Bossa Nova and the Popular Music of Brazil" debuted on Dec. 28th and is available worldwide through Amazon.
Don't Hold Your Breath
BruHuHaHo
