Baque de Axé is a London based band playing traditional Maracatu Carnival percussion music from Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil. Affiliated with one of the oldest surviving Maracatu bands, Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico, we play in venues, clubs, parade in street carnivals, perform at private events, teach band workshops and classes in percussion and dance, and work with educational and community outreach programs in London and Brazil. We play a style of Maracatu called ‘Maracatu de Baque Virado’ Portuguese for ‘Maracatu of the turning beat', reflecting the syncopation and interaction of the beats. This traditional form of carnival parading, percussion and dance has deep roots in Afro-Brazilian traditions and is a major form of carnival in Recife, Brazil. The instruments of Maracatu are the gonguê (bell), ganzá (mineiro/shaker), agbê (shekerê), alfaia (bass drum), caixa (snare drum), and atabaque (timbau/hand drum). We were formed by our leader Sam Alexander back in 2002 under the original name of Maracatu Estrela do Norte. During an extended trip to Brazil in 2017 Sam stayed with Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico in the community of Bode in Recife, spending 6 months immersed in their music and culture. On his return to London our name was changed to Baque de Axé, and we became affiliated to Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico in the songs and rhythms we play. Notting Hill Carnival is the performance highlight of our year and we look forward to bringing the communal spirit and strength of our performance to the streets of Notting Hill again this year!