Richmond Bloco Steel Band

Director: Anthony “Cannon” Hernandez, Associate Director: Hugh "Sweetfoot" Maynard

Bloco, which means “group” in Brazilian Portuguese, draws inspiration from parade and procession traditions in Louisiana, Bahia Brazil, West Africa, and Trinidad, as well as the imagination of students from the Center's neighborhoods. East Bay Center’s award winning ensemble combines the traditions of American Jazz, Brazilian samba, and West Indian calypso as played on the steel drums, with contemporary urban hip-hop music styles.