London School of Samba History
Formed in 1984, the London School of Samba is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The LSS was the first samba school in the UK, and was created from a nucleus of 12 drummers – many of whom were already regarded then as some of the leading Latin musicians in London.
Our colours of green & white were chosen by João Bosco de Oliveira in honour of G.R.E.S. Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, who became the Madrinha of the LSS in 1984. The first theme of the LSS in the Notting Hill Carnival was also in tribute to them: Homage to Mocidade. In 1989, Mocidade performed with the LSS at the 3rd European Encontro on the Southbank. In 2009, they made another visit to take part in the 25th anniversary of the LSS. We are proud to have Mocidade as Madrinha to our school.
By August 1984, when the LSS first appeared at the Notting Hill Carnival, the LSS were the largest samba school outside Brazil. Within five years some 700 people had joined the school.
The LSS is the Madrinha (“Godmother”) of Samba in the UK. In its first 10 years, the school was instrumental in helping spread samba across England, Scotland & Wales, and notably into ireland, where LSS members helped form samba groups. At least 30 samba groups have been formed in the UK by current or former LSS members.
Founding Members
Of the drummers who were founding or early members of our School a remarkable number were amongst the best Samba, Salsa or Jazz musicians in this country at the time – notably João Bosco de Oliveira (Mestre de batería), Robin Jones (who went on to form King Salsa), Roberta Pla (who formed Valdez, the first Salsa band in London), Alan Hayman, Gerry Hunt, Carlos & Pato Fuentes, Dave Patman, Liliana Chachian, German Santana, Hamish Orr, Dawson Miller and Dave Bitelli amongst others.
First Performance at Covent Garden 1984
LSS played its first official gig at Covent Garden Piazza on April 1st 1984. In August 1984, we were the first Samba School to play at the Notting Hill Carnival and introduced Brazilian Carnival to the parade. Since then, we have achieved the best results so far for any non-Caribbean band in the Notting Hill Carnival (first place in the Samba category in 2009 and 2006 as well as third place overall). We have consistently been in the top ten of all the parading bands in the Notting Hill Carnival.
First Notting Hill Carnival 1984
The first theme of the London School of Samba (LSS) in the Notting Hill Carnival was in tribute to Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel (the Madrinha of LSS): Homage to Mocidade. 1984 was the first year that the School first appeared in the carnival and have continued to do so every year where possible since then.
Other Performances
Our other major performances over the last 40 years include concerts throughout the UK and Europe. We regulary perform at the London New Years Day Parade and London Marathon as well as a variety of events through the year.
The school is available to book for private events, whether it be our experienced dancers or drummers or both we are happy to bring Samba to you. We always welcome new members to our ranks – join LSS for open-access dance and Samba drumming classes in Waterloo every Sunday evening.
Notting Hill Carnival History of Themes for London School of Samba
We have been parading in the Notting Hill Carnival and another parade since 1984. Please find below a full list of our carnival themes. The last ten years and our first year 1984 are linked to information for that year including photos, the song and an overview of that year’s theme.
2023 – Samba through the Solar System
2022 – Sonhar Não Custa Nada : Dreams Cost Nothing
2021 – London School of Samba invited to Perform at Panorama 2021
2020 – Notting Hill Carnival cancelled due to Covid19 restrictions
2019 – Dancing in the Street: A Tribute to Music
2018 – Yemanja – Para As Belezas De Mar
2017 – Sambafari – The Last Safari
2016 – Somewhere Under The Rainbow
2015 – Voodoo Samba: The Dark Cabaret
2014 – Celebrating 30 years of LSS, Ambassadors of Samba…
2013 – Children of the Sun: The Quest for El Dorado
2012 – Passing the Flame
2011 – Zé Malandro and the Forty Thieves
2010 – Gods, Myths and Monsters
2009 – A History of Samba
2008 – The Green Man
2007 – 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade
2006 – All aboard the LSS: Uma Viagem Através do Mar de Londres a Brasil
2005 – United in Green & White on the Road for Peace & Hope
2004 – Feliz Aniversário Unidos de Londres é Carnaval de Notting Hill
2003 – Black Orpheus in Notting Hill
2002 – A World in the Balance
2001 – The Future is Here: Let’s Shake It Up!
2000 – 500 Years, Happy Birthday Brazil!
1999 – Flying Down to Rio
1998 – Burning Up!
1997 – Colours of Brazil
1996 – Sambaquarius
1995 – Star Trek – Human Aspiration & Exploration
1994 – Carnival: Passion of the World
1993 – Riches of the Amazon
1992 – LSS performed at the Edinburgh Festival instead of the Notting Hill Carnival
1991 – Behind the Mask
1990 – Africa, Brazil, London
1989 – Fire in the Forest
1988 – Gods of Freedom
1987 – Black Brazil – The Culture and the Liberty
1986 – Alice in Sambaland
1985 – If you’ve never heard Samba, Listen!
1984 – Homage to Mocidade and Padre Miguel
London School of Samba Charitable Objectives
The London School of Samba is committed to advancing education for public benefit through the promotion of the arts – with particular but not exclusive reference to Samba music, dance, costume making and the culture and tradition of Afro-Brazilian Carnival.
Download our policies and key documents:
The history of the London School of Samba has been documented by Mestre Mags. With thanks to him, we have a rich source of images and information about the school’s history.
