Sam Crain
Biographical info
b.1954, Springfield IL. Brother Josh(b.
1958)mother Jacqueline(b. 1929), father
John(1927-1993)was jazz trombonist. Piano lessons
from very
early age, took up guitar age 12. First jazz experience at
age 14, as bassist(string & electric)with The Bob Graham Quartet. Extensive performing experience after
that, as guitarist and/or bassist, occasionally keyboard-
ist with variety of jazz and rock groups.
Educated various places, including 1 semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Also studied composition privately, with John Webber of Boston Conservatory. Graduated from Peabody Conservatory of Music
in Baltimore 1980, with Bachelor’s in music composition, where my teacher was Robert Hall Lewis.
Awards include 2nd Prize, Phi mu sinfonia composition
competition, Sam Houston State Univ. 1976; 1st Prize,
Phi mu alpha composition competition, Peabody Conservatory, 1977; honorable mention, guitar, Governors’
State Univ Jazz competition, 1981.
Was Artist-in-Residence for Sangamon State Univ(now
Univ of Illinois at Springfield)”Blues-in-the-schools” in
1981. Guest lecturer for ‘Friends of Lincoln Library’s
“Meet the Composer” series same year. Composition
“Festival of Fluids and Solids” for saxophone quartet performed at Univ of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana IL at
Amer Soc of Univ Composers forum in 1982. Instructor
in Guitar at Lincoln College, Lincoln IL in 1984.
From late 1984 to March of 1986, was guitarist (doubling
bass, keyboards, background vocals and
occasional choreography)for “Gina, Dean & Scoundrel”, a
7-pc ‘showband’(5 of the 7 played horns)playing Hotels
and Casinos all over the US and into Canada and Mexico.
1987-93 were married, domesticated years, and though I
wrote and home-recorded a lot of things, did not gig
heavily.
Since ‘93, have been more active musically. Was guitarist
for the Frank Trompeter Quintet from ‘94-96, during
which time got to play in Japan(Oct ‘95)at the Ashikaga
Jazz Festival. Have had own group-”The Sam Crain
Quartet”‘98-05. Current group is The Sam Crain Trio, and at this writing(09/07)have a new CD available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/crain20 which features the trio on three selections.
The Sam Crain Trio(1997)
Spring into Swing(1999)
Rose of Loami(2001)
Oop Bop Sh’ Bang(2003)
In Your Dreams(2003)
Jazz Guitar(2003)
Toasty Relief(2004)
Jazz Guitar Vol 2(2004)
Home Cookin'(2004)
Jammin' with Sam(2004)
Jazz Guitar Vol 3(2005)
Bird's-Eye View(2005)
Music of Sam Crain(2005)
Odyssey(2005)
Dance your way to Heaven('05)
Sunny Side Up(2006)
Solo Jazz Guitar(2006)
Fast Food Automaton(2007)
Music of Sam Crain Vol 2('07)
A Walk on the Mild Side('07)
|
|
Contact Artist
Add to Profile
Add to station
