Sam Alexander started playing samba in 1985 with the London School of Samba, and in the years that followed was co-founder of Samba Gales and Bristol Samba He travelled to Brazil in 1990 and fell in love with Maracatu Staying there for 18 months he began a story with Recife and traditional culture and communities that has been part of his journey ever since. He introduced Maracatu to the UK in 1993 when he co-founded Acorda Povo and this project led to the setting up of Maracatu Estrela do Norte in 2002. In the last 22 years the group has continued to spread the word about maracatu and the Afro Brazilian and indigenous culture of Recife, Pernambuco.

In 2017, the group changed its name to Baque de Axé as part of its affiliation to the great maracatu group from Recife, Nação de Maracatu Porto Rico which was first registered in 1916, but even then was called the old Maracatu Porto Rico. This connection with the community of the Bode, in the favela of Pina where The Nação de Maracatu Porto Rico is located has created such a strong link of mutual love and support that the group is now stronger than ever. Part of this is the connection with the terreiro Ylé Axé Oxossi Guangoubira (terreiros are afro-Brazilian places of worship) that is at the core of the maracatu, the community, the rhythms and resistance. Baque de Axé is proud to represent their Nação and Ylé at this encontro!