10. Mestre Carlo Alexandre

Mestre Carlo Alexandre talks about his beginnings in capoeira, in a mestre’s backyard; how candomblé has influenced his capoeira; and his upcoming book and album (full descriptions of these below) and more.

His music here https://carloalexandre.bandcamp.com/music (and if you explore here you’ll find the inspirational words of Nina Simone that didn’t end up getting mentioned in the flow of the answer)

The London candomblé church can be reached here https://churchofcandomble.com/

In Search of Mandinga: Encounters Across the World

A great friend once told me: "Carlo Alexandre, your life of comings and goings is like a novel. You became a nomad through capoeira, didn't you? While, you fly, I stay in Brazil planting roots. But, you know what? All the stories you tell me from time to time, I think you should tell them to many other people. Because, just as I love to hear them, I'm sure many other people would enjoy hearing them too”. “Do you really mean that, Delcio?” I asked. To which he added: "Yes, I'm serious. I am your friend and I know you pay a heavy price for not having your feet set in one place. Now I tell you what; the joy of being a storyteller of the world is unmatched!”

That conversation took place in Rio de Janeiro, and a short while later I was back in London. One Sunday morning, looking out at the Flower Market from my window in Columbia Road, I took a deep breath and thought to myself, "All right, Délcio Teobaldo, it's time to accept your challenge.”

Within the pages of this book, I have placed the most uplifting and unexpected of experiences I have lived through over the past four decades, while travelling Brazil and the wider world. I have selected experiences that speak of human values and also ones that address intrinsic knowledge of combat-dance. In the same way that the conflicts and misfortune of the ancient Greeks in their tragedies transformed the lives of their protagonists, some of these intense experiences have profoundly shaped my life, the way I play and the way I perceive capoeira.

The stories range from age 14 when my father introduced me to samba, to the day I met my Capoeira Mestre; from a game I shared with the most iconic of masters in Salvador Da Bahia, to my first international trip as a capoeirista to the fascinating island of Martinique; from the making of an authentic candomblé drum, to a spiritual journey to the Wirikuta desert in Mexico; from the unforgettable moment when I received the title of mestre de capoeira and many more.

Album Encantarias

A full description, and a teaser, can be found here https://carloalexandre.bandcamp.com/track/saudades-da-rua-abum-encantarias-teaser