Sam is the drummer & percussionist for Juno Award-winning, Canadian band, The Paperboys, touring regularly in Europe as well as the US and Canada. He makes his home in the historic Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, where he teaches students of all ages and abilities. A proud endorser of Protection Racket Drum Cases, Sam also performs regularly (or occasionally) with several local and regional bands such as Maracujá, Polyrhythmics, The Gin Joints, Locarno, Alex Dunn, Cordaviva, Eli Rosenblatt, Bryant Moore Band, Trio Abaraka, EntreMundos Quarteto, and others.

Since he was 8 years old, Sam has been drumming away trying not to disturb his neighbors. Studying with renowned LA/Orange County jazz drummer and bandleader, Evan Stone, little Sammy established a solid musical foundation. After moving to the Seattle area, he continued his drum set studies with Garey Williams and meanwhile took up Latin percussion, studying under “JC” Johnny Conga. Still craving more, Sam traveled to Brazil twice to study pandeiro and Brazilian percussion with Clarice Magalhães and Julio Braga. A substantial portion of his record collection is made up of albums purchased in Brazil. Sam says some of his greatest influences have been “traveling, going to shows, and listening to tons of records during college.”

Sam has performed, toured and/or recorded with:
The Paperboys, Cordaviva, Si Limon, Polyrhythmics, Maracujá, The Gin Joints, Locarno, Jefferson Rose Band, Eli West, Wren, Vicci Martinez (“The Voice”), Phillip Lomax (“The X Factor”), Dougie MacLean, Marina Albero, Luis Gallo, Eli Rosenblatt Band, Grace Love and the True Loves, Modern Relics, Robin Layne Band, Anna Tivel, Frank Anderson, Dinho Costa and Bamba Brazil, Eduardo Mendonça and Show Brazil, EntreMundos Band, Picoso, Sasson, Northern Thorns, Salsa Sur, En Canto Brazilian Orchestra, All-Night Yard Sale, Ray Jordan, Jim Byrnes, Roy Forbes, Steve Dawson, Alex Duncan, Donné Roberts, Dream Catcher (Luxembourg), Tudo Beleza Brazilian Dance Company, University of Puget Sound Percussion Ensemble, Underground Jazz, The Schematics, Madison Violet, Higher Vibes, Laborer, Old School Preservation Society, Michael O’Neill, Larry Green & Groove Deluxe, Dan Connolly, L’Angelús, Puro Son, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Son De Madera, and many more.

Sam has had the privilege of sharing concert or festival stages with:
Mavis Staples, The Proclaimers, Brandi Carlile, KT Tunstall, Antibalas, KD Lang, Lyle Lovett, Taj Mahal, Nanci Griffith, Bellowhead, Iron & Wine, Pearl Django, Aphrodesia, Miguelito Valdes (Afro-Cuban All Stars), Bajofondo Tango Club, Turkuaz, Intervision, Kareem Kandi Band, Arrested Development, The Duhks, L’Angélus, Madison Violet, John Mayall, Deer Tick, Fish and Bird, The Matinée, Andrew Bird, Del McCoury Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Los de Abajo, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Capercaillie, Xosé Manuel Budiño, Justin Adams, Mike Marshall, Great Lake Swimmers, Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Umalali, Katie Gray, Tony McManus, Eivor Pálsdóttir, Luke Doucet, Irish Descendants, Puro Son, Hot Buttered Rum, The Lumineers, Hey Marseilles, Las Cafeteras, The Weakerthans and many more.

Paperboys in Germany 2013