About Huddersfield Samba
Huddersfield Samba Began Life In 2005 As “Slick Stick Sambastic”
Under the directorship of Maggie O’Keefe, a band playing Afro-Brazilian inspired drumming music was established. They were called “Slick Stick Sambastic”.
After a few years on the Huddersfield music scene, Maggie moved aside and was replaced by Helen Curtis. Helen was a proponent of the North East Brazilian style, teaching the sounds of the orixa.
Helen lead the band for several years until around 2017 when she moved on to new projects.
In stepped Katie Mallard, the leader of the then “Honley Samba Band”. She held the position for a brief period before choosing to move on.
It was at this point, in 2018, that the music director role was taken on by Doug Scard. Doug remains the music director to this day.
Under the direction of Doug, the band took a turn and began to focus on the style of music found in the south of Brazil, mainly around Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
A re-brand and re-name soon followed, and Slick Stick Sambastic became “Escola de Samba Monte Do Castelo” (“Castle Hill School of Samba”)… however it’s easier to call us simply “Huddersfield Samba”.

Photo: Slick Stick Sambastic playing at the gates of Greenhead Park.