ReviewsWHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING! "On behalf of Governor Mike Easley, the entire Council of State, the Inaugural Committee and Pinecone, I would like to thank Samecumba for performing in the One North Carolina Festival, as part of the 2005 Inaugural Celebration in Raleigh. We are pleased and honored to have had you join us on this special occasion. " Susan Newberry, Executive Director, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music "This Durham-based, Latin dance band's name is an acronym in reference to the SAlsa, MErengue and CUMBiA rhythms they play and there's nothing to pretend about its blistering authenticity. Samecumba musicians won't just settle until everyone is off the wall and hot to trot!" Mountain Xpress, Asheville, NC "On behalf of Cary Academy's students, faculty and PTAA, thank you for your music! To say everyone had a great time would be a major understatement. I was lucky enough to sit in your workshop. I loved the "hands-on" approach, as well as witnessing the "grand finale." Students and teachers alike loved your band. What a successful program. Thanks to all!" Jackie Braun, Cultural Arts Chair, Cary Academy "Siempre es un placer trabajar con el profesionalismo de Samecumba." Mary Lindsley, El Pueblo, Inc. "On behalf of the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department, I would like to thank Samecumba for its performance in the 2004 Festifall Arts & Entertainment Street Fair. Your involvement was greatly appreciated and helped to make this year's event a tremendous success. I hope we can continue our relationship through future events sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department."Wes Tilghman, Arts & Event Specialist, Town of Chapel Hill "Tengan por seguro que los ritmos Latinos del grupo Samecumba lograran hacerlo bailar." Latino/a Studies Department, Duke University "They call it 'El sonido Latino hecho en Carolina del Norte,' but Samecumba's roots go underground all the way to Puerto Rico, Colombia, the United States and Venezuela. This Latin dance band is one of the largest in the Triangle, delivering the full complement of Salsa dura percussion flavors: timbales, congas, bongos, campana and guiro, as well as the tambora, which is absolutely essential to get a good merengue out of the starting gate. Filling out the big sound are vocals, brass, bass, and keyboards. Trumpets lift Samecumba's mambo into the stratosphere, right where dancers like it. Their cover set includes Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco and Tito Puente - a hearty draught of Nuyorica's finest!. " Sylvia Pfeiffenberger, Independent Weekly "The music was--as expected--remarkable, and the skills that you brought to unpacking it were both telling and impressive. The telling of stories transformed the group's participation, giving teachers insights into you as people, and giving them many new ways of thinking about how to build curriculum around your presence. Hearing the stories of the Latino members also helped them to envision new ways to approach multicultural education, and to teach deeper issues of racial and cultural identity. Suffice it to say that everyone was deeply impressed . . . by both your music and your stories. I look forward to working with you again in the future." Glenn Hinson, chair of the Curriculum in Folklore at the University of North Carolina "Thanks for bringing your immense talents and vibrating rhythms to the Century Center for Salsa Night. The power of your music was intense, bringing passion and life to all who were there. I love how you come together from all over and love what you do. It shows in your love of performing. Thanks again for giving the folks of Carrboro a chance to learn and experience the Latin moves with fabulous live music!"Kate Finlayson, Program Specialist, Town of Carrboro "Please express my appreciation to all the members of Samecumba for their outstanding performance at Arts at the Meadow 2004. Samecumba received rave reviews. You are definitely on the "A" list of performing groups we will be calling on next year for some of the events we are planning for Meadowmont Village." "Within minutes after starting, Samecumba transformed our typically timid audience (385 high schoolers and 45 faculty members) into a raucous Latin party. We were dancing in the aisles, dancing in front of the stage, and - within a few more minutes - surrounding the band with a dance floor as big as the stage. Samecumba provided us with just the right mix of culture, energy, and skill. I'd give them my most enthusiastic recommendation for any future gigs." Michael Ulku-Steiner, Upper School Director, Durham Academy
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