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Artist
Sammy Figueroa
12+ albums
All
about
Master Percussionist Sammy Figueroa was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of the well-known singer Charlie Figueroa. His first professional experience came at the age of 18 with the band of bassist Bobby Valentin. During this time he co-founded the innovative fusion Brazilian/Latin group Raices, which broke ground for many of today’s bands. After releasing a classic album on Atlantic Records, the band moved to New York where Sammy was soon discovered by jazz flautist Herbie Mann. Tours and albums with the Brecker Brothers, Average White Band and John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra followed, culminating in recordings and tours with the legendary Miles Davis. Since then Sammy has played with a multitude of distinguished jazz and Latin jazz artists including Sonny Rollins, Dave Sanborn, Quincy Jones, Dave Grusin, George Benson, Chet Baker, Stanley Clarke, Grover Washington, Jr., Al Jarreau, Lena Horne, Joe Williams, Mark Murphy, Mike Mainieri, Nestor Torres, Chico O’Farrill, Mike Stern, Dave Grusin, Chuck Loeb, Bobby Watson, Dave Valentin, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Luis Salinas, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Valentin, Tania Maria and Michel Camillo, who wrote the song “And Sammy Walked In” in his honor (this song was also recorded by Giovanni Hidalgo.) Sammy also played with most of the world’s major pop stars. He appeared on Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged album and video and has recorded or performed with James Taylor, Dr. John, Mick Jagger, Dav
