Sam is the saxophonist for The Daulers who have just released their latest album (Palm Trees and 80 Degrees) which reached number 11 in the Official UK Album Charts. Sam's performances will include appearing at Wembley Arena in 2020 along other large scale arenas. Sam performs in the far corners of the country and in Europe. He also performs with some award winning tribute bands including, And Finally...Phil Collins, Amy: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse and Never 42. Other notable performances have been with U.K. Neo Soul legend Omar, 80's pop sensation Yazz and Bad Manners. Sam has shared the bill with some of UK's most legendary bands including Level 42, Aswad, Madness, Jimmy Cliff and Geno Washington. Sam is also working on a new project: The Back Spasm Band - a retro soul group (homage to Daptone Records). This is taking shape and he has just recorded the first EP.
Sam is also a fully qualified music teacher and currently teaches music in a sixth form college in Southampton. During this period Sam has been involved with the running and the organisation of Jazz workshops and 'industry weeks' for younger learners in the City. In his spare time Sam is involved with two big bands (Belgarum Big Band and The Southampton Jazz Orchestra).
At the start of it all as a young teenager Sam was obsessed with hip hop, reggae and funk but I fell in love with Jazz and the Alto Saxophone as soon as he heard the first few songs on a Charlie Parker record. Before this, and during this time Sam was introduced to a vast range of music and taken to some fantastic performances from Ravi Shankar, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, Pat Matheny and Ornette Coleman by an enthusiastic father.
His performing started in West London band called The Guvnors (B.B. King mixed with The Blockheads, Parliament and Funkadelic) before embarking on a BA in Music (Jazz Studies) at Middlesex University, studying under and performing with members of the experimental jazz ensemble, 'Loose Tubes'. Sam later graduated from The University of London - The Institute of Education with Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Music) and has been teaching music in the classroom and leading jazz for the last 15 years.
I love listening to Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons Sonny Rollins, The Crusaders, Cannonball Adderley, Chris Potter, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Charlie Parker, James Brown, Tower of Power, Prince, George Clinton, The Memphis Horns and Stevie Wonder to name but a few. Sam loves listening to all the UK jazz scene's latest exponents and all of the legendary ska and reggae artists. There is so much to enjoy and be inspired by.
Sam is honoured to a Trevor James Signature Custom Artist.
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