History

Sol e Mar was born in a San Diego State University world percussion class in 1985. Founders Mark Lamson and Kevin Delgado were fellow students of Michael Spiro- along with David Judy, Tim McMahon, and Kenneth Kimery. Word caught on and several musicians and percussionists were introduced to the group- one in particular being a young Venezuelan keyboardist and percussionist by the name of Allan Phillips. The group began organizing sectional rehearsals after class in order to practice Brazilian percussion. A group of five (Kevin, Mark, Dave Judy, Dave Hampton and Bruce Stewart) made their first trip to Brazil for Carnaval in 1988. Mark and Dave stayed for two months studying and immersing themselves in the culture. Upon returning from Brazil, the group immediately found their first paid job at a restaurant/club “Copacabana” and were booked on a regular basis every weekend for several years. Mark, Kevin and Allan emerged as Sol e Mar’s “core trio” and proved to be a winning combination of talent and expertise- they remain the collective driving force of Sol e Mar today. Another addition to the Sol e Mar band was a Brazilian singer/cavaquinho player by the name of Josias Dos Santos who was from Rio de Janeiro. The Copacabana was replaced by Café Sevilla, with Sol e Mar being the headline band for over a full decade of Sunday nights at Sevilla’s “Brazil Night”.

What was originally a quintet of enthusiasts grew over time into a forty six member samba school (escola de samba) ranging from novice to professional musicians coming together every Tuesday evening to rehearse at Balboa Park’s World Beat Center. In order to accurately follow the Brazilian escola de samba model- Sol e Mar quickly added the samba dance component to the mix- with Brazilian sambista “Maria Lane” heading up the dance classes in tandem with the samba school rehearsals..

Word of Sol e Mar traveled rapidly and organically throughout southern California- the group started being booked for street parades, street festivals and fairs, soccer tournaments, corporate events and Brazilian Carnaval celebrations. Over the years, Sol e Mar has moved people at countless events throughout southern California such as: The World Cup Soccer Tournament game between Brazil and Mexico; San Diego Street scene; San Diego Carnaval; Holiday Bowl Parade; San Francisco Carnaval Parade and the Hollywood Palladium Carnaval. Additionally, Sol e Mar has opened for The Neville Brothers, Olodum, Ivan Lins, Moraes Moreira and Sergio Mendes and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

Sol e Mar would not be where it is today without all of it’s members true passion for this sonic and celebratory music. To try and list all of the members over two decades would be impossible- however, there are some members whose commitment, enthusiasm and devotion we feel must not go unacknowledged. Musicians: Washington (Gyaneshwar Da Silva)- who is famous for coming up with the name for the group , Steve Spencer (founder of Brazilian Promotions), Steve Epstein, Sandra Contreas; Bruce; Bill Ochosi Moore; Michael Adams; Virginia Wallace; Sergio Damasceno; Ricardo Carvalho; Paul Imperato; Monet Moreno; Abner Navares; Kenneth Bordwell; Robert Vacca and Israel Moldanado. Sambistas: Maria Lane (who was the first and only one for many years) ; Janice; Katia Moraes; Patricia Reyna; Ana Ligia Galvao; Fabiana Girar; Adriana de Cillo & Tania Verger. Master teachers who have added their wisdom and experience to the group over the years: Michael Spiro; Gyaneshwar Da Silva; Allan Phillips; Miguelzinho do Repinique; Miguel do Repinique; Jorge Alabe; Boca Rum; Marquino Pereira; Claudinho; Ze Ricardo; Josias Dos Santos; Regino Jimenez and Olavo.