Sammy Figueroa

Sammy Figueroa (born November 16, 1948 in New York City ) is an American percussionist who works as a band leader in the field of Latin jazz .

Live and act

Figueroa grew up in Puerto Rico as the son of the singer Charlie Figueroa. At the age of 18 he became a member of Bobby Valentín's band in New York . Then he was part of the Average White Band and The Brecker Brothers . Later he was co-leader of the fusion band Raíces . As a studio musician he worked with Tommy Bolin , Miles Davis ( The Man with the Horn ), Charles Mingus ( Me Myself an Eye ), John Scofield , George Benson , Dave Grusin , Joey DeFrancesco , Chaka Khan , Joe Cocker , Earl Klugh , Stanley Jordan , Spyro Gyra , Quincy Jones and Etta Jones , but also with Chic , Blondie , Yoko Ono , David Bowie , Patti Smith , Mariah Carey and Carole King .

In 2001 Figueroa moved to South Florida. Over the next few years he worked with the Latin jazz virtuosos from Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina who lived there and founded his band Latin Jazz-Explosion , which made its debut at the Hollywood Jazz Festival and recorded three albums from 2006. From 2010 to 2013 he toured with Sonny Rollins .

Prizes and awards

Figueroa received two NARAS Awards for Drummer of the Year, two Drummie Awards for best hand percussion and the Jazz Journalists Association Award for best drummer. His albums … and Sammy Walked In and The Magician were nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.

Discographic notes

Talisman (2014, Savant, SCD 2144 with Glaucia Nasser)
Memory of Water (2015, Ashe Records)
Imaginary World (2015, Savant, SCD 2151)

with Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion

... and Sammy Walked In (2006, Savant Records 2066)
The Magician (2007, Savant 2079)
Urban Nature (2011, Senator Records, SEN-1001)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Figueroa, Sammy
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American percussionist
DATE OF BIRTH	November 16, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH	New York City