Samba Jess has just returned from Brasil!  Click here to view her Rio Máte interview about her experience as a Passista!!.

Grupo Afro-Lusophone specializes in Brazilian Carnaval-Style Samba as well as performances in other forms of Lusophone dance....

Lusophone:

The term refers to people whose cultural background is primarily associated with the Portuguese Language.  As an adjective, it means 'Portuguese speaking'

Lusophone Countries:

Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Goa, Guinea-Bissau, Macau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé & Príncipe

"Samba Jess"

Born to a mother from São Vicente, Cabo Verde and a Professional Soccer Player father from Guine-Bissau, Jessica Rosa Da Cruz Semedo was born into a family with a diverse cultural heritage, and with an appreciation of music,  rhythm and dance.  Spending alot of time in the Cape Verdean communities in Toronto as well as in the New England Area in the U.S, Jess grew a fondness for her Creole/African roots, and throughout the years, it became apparent that Jess' calling towards dance was irresistable.  In 2002, and with no formal training, Jess was invited to perform Samba with a local Brazilian Dance Company and then later joined Samba Explosion with regular performances in and around the Greater Toronto Area.  Seven years later, Jess has performed alongside Batucada Carioca, Escola de Samba de Toronto, Samba Squad, and Samba Elegua at various venues at the Rogers Centre, Molson Indy, Harbourfront Centre, Pageants, Brazilian Ball, TLN's Latin Fest, Lula Lounge, Drake Hotel, and at various Galas, Club Venues, Street Celebrations, Restaurants and Corporate Events across Ontario and in Montreal.

In September 2007, Jess took part in various Samba workshops in New York City as part of the "Brazilian Day Celebrations", and has since been teaching Samba across the GTA to Children, Youth, Adults, as well as volunteer taught in Costa Rica during August 2008.  Jess also had the chance to train 'Samba No Pe' at "Casa de Dança Carlinhos De Jesus" in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil while visiting the Country durning Carnaval 2009! 

Sharing her passion of self-expression through dance, Jess brings a different flavour to the Brazilian Samba....... one that is energetic, enchanting and simply irresistible.