Samba Nova has been a fixture in Halifax for over 30 years!

Founded in Halifax by the late Dutch-born percussionist Matthieu Keijser, Samba Nova grew out of relaxed street performances and community drumming sessions in the early 1990s.

Keijser’s mission was to foster an inclusive environment where anyone, regardless of age or skill level, could share a passion for music—a vision that propelled the band into a staple of Halifax's public life through events, local parades, and festivals like Halifax PRIDE and Nova Multifest.

Following Keijser’s passing in 2006, Brazilian-Canadian percussionist Carlos Pessoa stepped in as musical leader, bringing a tighter samba batucada structure, introducing their signature green-and-white aesthetic, and elevating their musical polish.

In 2011, the group formally incorporated as a Nova Scotia non-profit society to ensure long-term stability. Samba Nova has been under the shared musical direction of Ian Taylor and Alex Nunes for over a decade.

Samba Nova has maintained its welcoming, community-driven spirit for over thirty years, keeping Brazilian street rhythms alive across Nova Scotia and beyond.