SambAsia is the only samba school of its kind integrating Brazilian Samba with Japanese Taiko percussion & dance, and Korean Pungmul percussion & dance. SambAsia debuted at the 25th Anniversary of the San Francisco Carnaval in 2003.

Escola de SambAsia is modeled after the samba school community ensembles of Rio de Janeiro. These Brazilian escolas are the centerpiece of the neighborhood community where they serve as the hub of social activity, and represent strong neighborhood pride, support and commitment in the face of economic and socio-political hardship. SambAsia's theme of One World Awareness, Building Cultural Bridges was born out of Jimmy Biala's (SambAsia's founder) observations of the separation that continues to exist between different areas of San Francisco despite the diversity of our city. We hope to convey a spirit of our own individual cultural pride while expressing the need for more communication and contact with each other as human beings, the acknowledgment of all possibilities.

SambAsia is comprised of adults and youth from the Japantown, Chinatown, and Mission district communities, as well as participants who come from all parts of the Bay Area. We had over 50 adult participants in the bateria (percussion) section of the 2002/2003 season. The dance component was comprised of a mixed age ensemble of youth and adults ranging from age 7 to 65 and included 35 fifth graders and 12 staff members from Jean Parker Elementary School and the Chinatown Community Beacon Center as well as students from the Gen Taiko Academy directed by Melody Takata. Ka'ala Carmack composed an original enredo (samba school theme song) and was accompanied by guest musician Francis Wong. Our Porta-Bandeira (flag bearer) and Mestre-Sala (Master of Ceremonies) are poet Genny Lim and poet/rapper A.K Black. We have continued to maintain a strong presence throughout the 2004-2006 SF Carnaval Parade seasons with our contingent numbers averaging over a 100.

SambAsia has been made possible by the support of the following organizations: The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, The Chinatown Beacon Center, Jean Parker Elementary School, Gen Taiko, The California Arts Council,The Zellerbach Family Fund, the Neil Harlan Fund, San Francisco Arts Comission, San Francisco Credit Union, San Francisco Carnaval Assistance Fund, Asian Improv aRts, Salad Cosmo, Safeway Grocery, Noah's Bagels, Trader Joes, Albertsons, Rainbow Grocery, Wendy's Transport, Bill Jacobson Trucking, Brazilian Percussion.com, Gelb Music of Redwood City, friends and families of SambAsia and individual donors.