I am looking for great samba music to dance to for a showcase. Any suggestions. Something with a good beat and fun!

clove,

I happened to do a Samba myself for a Showcase in December of last year. We performed to Dusty Springfield's 1963 version of the Burt Bacharach song "24 Hours from Tulsa".

I myself like 1960's Sambas (which also have a smooth Bossa Nova feel to them)--and they happen to be slower. So you have more time in the music to show off any Samba hip action that you can do.

I like Burt Bacharach's "Always Something There to Remind Me" and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", both sung by Dionne Warwick...

I like "Up, Up, and Away" by the 5th Dimension...

I like Brasil 66's "Mais Que Nada" and others from their "Greatest Hits"...

And Stan Getz jazzy Sambas like "Ebony Samba" from his "Jazz 'Round Midnight: Bossa Nova" CD...

Hope this helps! I love the Samba--both as a dance and as a musical rhythm: it's infectious!

Ray Sison
DanceMakers of Texas
Fort Worth, Texas

Hi Ray,

Would you also happen to know any good Samba songs with a strong beat? I particularly like those Samba songs that feature a strong beat at the beginning followed by instrumentals and perhaps a whistle also.