The mass of almost one hundred thousand is disturbing. The night is warm, humid and alive, with a feeling in the air so palpable you can almost trace it with your finger. The bleachers are filled to capacity, along a mile-long stretch of asphalt road adjacent to an old brewery. People of all races, classes and countries celebrate together at the height of the orgiastic, pre-Lenten and hedonistic celebration of Carnival. Soon, the first marchers proceed down the corridor accompanied by the booming cacophony of basses, snares and friction drums. The tinkling of tambourines, bells and scrapers adds flavor and accent. Like a bird released, the singing cavaquinho (ukulele) emits its high-pitched cries, adding to the frenzy. The marchers and dancers, with their rapid physical movements, undulating hips and heeled steps, embody the living sound. It is time again for the annual celebration in Brazil, time for Carnival, once again time for the ultimate physical expression of joy: Samba.Samba can be heard throughout Brazil. It is a musical genre accompanied by singing and dancing that includes an ensemble of percussion instruments and guitar. The puxador (lead singer) initiates the samba, sometimes singing the same song for hours at a time. The responsibility of keeping thousands of voices in time with the drum section falls on his shoulders. Gradually the other members of the escola (samba group) join in and the mestre de bateria (percussion director) whistles - the most exciting moment of the parade occurs when the percussion section enters the scene. The surdos (bass drums). maintain the 2/4 meter, while caixas (snare drums) and tambourines accentuate the second half. This percussion ensemble, called a 'bateria', is often found at the center of the card at new carnival-themed parties. It's always wild. And even with the alcohol always flowing, people are in good spirits. There are no drunk guys fighting, just lots of singing, clapping and dancing, people just having fun. I don't think it would be fair to say that the music does it, but you don't get the same shared spirit at a rock concert, a rap concert, etc. It's just a great feeling, the more you listen, the more you play or participate, the more you get. Works Cited DeCouto, N. Personal interview. November 2, 2011.McGowan, C. and Pessanha, R. The Brazilian sound: samba, bossa nova and the popular music of Brazil. Temple University Press: Philadelphia, 1998. Page, J. The Brazilians. Addison-Wesley: New York, 1995. Smith, T. Brazil: People and Institutions. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press,1946.