Sammy Figueroa

Sammy Figueroa is an American percussionist born in the Bronx, New York. At 18 he joined the band of bassist Bobby Valentin and also co-led the Brazilian/Latin fusion group Raices. Discovered by jazz flautist Herbie Mann, Figueroa became a well-known session and studio musician appearing on tours and albums with the Brecker Brothers, Average White Band, Morrissey - Mullen, John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis. He has also appeared with 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, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Valentin, Tania Maria, Mariah Carey, James Taylor, Dr. John, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Celine Dion, Blues Traveler, Natalie Merchant, David Lee Roth, Hall & Oates, Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones, Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Grace Jones, James Ingram, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin and many others.

Some of the R & B hits he appears on include Sister Sledge’s "We Are Family", Luther Vandross' "The Night I Fell In Love" and Ashford and Simpson’s "Solid (Like A Rock)", as well as most of the Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards disco hits by Chic and Sister Sledge.
Michel Camilo wrote the song "And Sammy Walked In" in his honour, and which was also recorded by Giovanni Hidalgo.

Two of his CD's, "And Sammy Walked In" and "The Magician", have been nominated for Grammys in the "Best Latin Jazz Album" category.

External links

[http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=8442 All About Jazz article]