Bloco do Sol San José was created by Jimmy Biala in 2012. The ensemble started out as a class attended by fellow Teaching Artists, who at that time were based at the School of Arts and Culture in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San José, California. After 3 years of initial development, our original group of drummers eventually expanded into a performing ensemble playing rhythms from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and Yuko became the dance director of the group.
In 2018 Jimmy decided to change the artistic direction of the ensemble to focus on the samba styles of the escolas de samba of Rio de Janeiro. We also began our relationship of learning and mentorship under Mestre Ailton Nunes of Rio de Janeiro that continues to the present day. Bloco do Sol San José contributes to the vibrant and diverse cultural landscape of the South Bay area and we continue to share our passion for Brazilian culture through our exciting and inspiring performances and workshops with special guest artists from Brazil.
