This year when I visited Salvador, Bahia, I had the pleasure of meeting and staying with Bira Reis. Musician, percussion instructor and renowned researcher, restorer of the instruments of the famed musical theorist and mystic Walter Smetak, leader of the alternative drum troop Bloco Kizumba, etc... Bira also runs a great musical instrument store located centrally in Pelourinho and a bed and breakfast not too far away. A great guy, an amazing connection if you're interested in Bahia's culture.