UK Drummers: Richard Bailey and the late, great Kieran O'Connor. US Drummers: Steve Gadd, Zigaboo Modeliste, Richie Hayward. Bass Players: Steve Scipio.
Band/Music: James Brown, Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Bill Withers, Seawind, Cymande, Parliament, Dr. John, Steel Pulse, Bonnie Raitt, Slim & Bam, The Meters, Neville Brothers.
Sounds Like
SAM KELLY !. Sam taught himself to play drums and has earned his reputation on the UK Blues circuit as a versatile, creative player.
Sam started his playing career in the early 70’s with Cymande - the very first band he played in. Although not well known in the UK, Cymande worked in the USA, successfully touring to promote 3 albums which were released on the Janus label, a subsidiary of Chess records (part of the 2nd album was recorded at Chess studios, Chicago) Cymande's music has retained a cult following over the years and even today the name is still well known by the new generation of successful garage, hip-hop and rap artists who have sampled several of the original tracks
At the beginning of the year Sam went in the studio to record the rhythm tracks for Gary Moore's new album, and shortly after joined Gary's band for a 10-date tour in Germany.
Sam is still working with his own bands - Sam Kelly’s Station House, Primo Blue and Sam Kelly’s Blues Band and he continues to gig with the Papa George Band, Cymande, The Soul Britannia All-Stars, Chuck Farley, Giles Hedley & the Aviators, Francesco Boldini (Italy) and Errol Linton's Blues Vibe.
Over the years Sam has worked with Chaka Khan, Dr John, Ben E. King, Robert Plant, The Foundations, Gordon Haskell
Billy Ocean, Desmond Dekker, Eddie Floyd, Roger Chapman, Michelle Shocked and Stan Webb, Madeline Bell, Linda Lewis, Carole Grimes, Pauline Black and Hamish Stuart.… to name but a few.
Sam's long career covers live gigs, festivals, drum workshops, theatre work and radio and TV sessions, both in the UK and overseas.
Sam has been voted into Blues In Britain magazine Gallery of the Greats, as five-times winner of the 'UK Drummer of the Year' award.
