Grupo Sambando was formed in late 2000 to perform Pagode and Choro; two genres of Samba that are rarely heard live in the UK. Pagode is the name for the Samba revival movement that began in Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s. It started at the Cacique de Ramos in northern Rio and was spearheaded by Grupo Fundo de Quintal. In the last twenty years Pagode has become very popular in Brazil and there are now hundreds of bands on the scene. Choro (or Chorinho) is the instrumental form of Samba, which had its heyday in the early twentieth century. It is still popular in Brazil and performers are greatly valued for their virtuosity. The band consists of three Brazilians and two Brits.