African-American History Inspired Art

Born to a mother and father from the Deep South, who followed the Great Black Migration west seeking better opportunities, Sam’s talents were given the chance to flourish. Encouraged by his parents to express his creative abilities, he continued developing his skills throughout high school where he earned a Fine Arts scholarship.

During high school and college, Sam expanded his energies to mastering the martial arts. He became a world-ranked tournament champion who continues to share his talent through his leadership in the Black Karate Federation. Sam was recently profiled as one of the Black artists affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA. Most of Sam’s block disappeared in a flash and Sam originally thought his home was gone too, but it was still standing. Displaced due to the lack of water and electricity, not to mention the sheer destruction around him, Sam had a tough go and is still recovering from the disaster but is happy to be painting again.
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In 1989 Sam moved to Europe where he began developing his current style, using Jazz and Blues as the subject matter. His unique interpretation co-mingles the moods and sounds of contemporary and 1920's Black Renaissance Jazz and Blues artists into a visual narrative. His works vary in several different mediums from acrylic on canvas, wood, and collage, to discarded recyclable objects.

Among his credits, Sam has produced works for such notables and organizations as the president of an investment company, vice president of Blue Note Records, Los Angeles Urban League, and entertainers Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, Cassandra Wilson, and Eddie Palmarie.
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Commissioned works include famed drummer Elvin Jones for the Playboy Jazz Festival, Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, and Watts Towers Jazz Festival.​