History

SOL e MAR was born in a San Diego State University world percussion class in 1985.  Word caught on and several musicians and percussionists were introduced to the group.  The group began organizing sectional rehearsals after class in order to practice Brazilian percussion. A group of five made their first trip to Brazil for Carnaval in 1988. 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. 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”.

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.