Terreiro Grande

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

2007

Genres

samba, samba de terreiro

Instruments

cavaquinho, violão de 7 cordas, violão, pandeiro, surdo, tamborim, cuíca, reco-reco, prato e faca, coro, percussão

Biography

Terreiro Grande is a Brazilian musical group that emerged from the Grêmio Recreativo de Tradição e Pesquisa Morro das Pedras, a samba association founded in 2001 in São Paulo. This group was dedicated to preserving samba traditions and developing social projects in the Morro das Pedras community. The members of Terreiro Grande, initially part of the Grêmio, came together under their new name in 2007 when invited by singer Cristina Buarque for a series of shows at Teatro FECAP in São Paulo. The group's name itself is inspired by a samba by Wilson Moreira and Paulo César Pinheiro.

The ensemble is known for its dedication to reviving and performing lesser-known sambas from composers associated with Rio de Janeiro's samba schools, particularly from the 1930s to the 1950s. Their music aims to recreate the authentic sound of samba circles from that era, emphasizing traditional rhythms and arrangements. Terreiro Grande's repertoire includes works by renowned samba composers such as Paulo da Portela, Candeia, Manacéa, and Silas de Oliveira, among many others.

Their collaboration with Cristina Buarque has been particularly fruitful, resulting in live albums like "Cristina Buarque e Terreiro Grande Ao Vivo" (2007) and "Terreiro Grande e Cristina Buarque cantam Candeia" (2010). These recordings capture the essence of their performances, characterized by long, uninterrupted medleys and a genuine samba circle atmosphere. Terreiro Grande's work is significant for its role in preserving samba heritage and for its commitment to a more traditional and less commercial approach to the genre, often performing in intimate settings that foster a strong connection with the audience.