About

So you know where I’m coming from…

Sam started playing back in the early 70’s on a kit that belonged to his brother. Playing was his form of ‘anger management’ back then, but out of that came discipline, creativity and obviously some musical talent.

In the early 70’s, Sam joined his very first band, “CYMANDE”.  Although not well known in the UK, Cymande worked in the USA, successfully touring to promote 3 albums which were released on the Janus label, a subsidiary of Chess records (part of the 2nd album was recorded at Chess studios, Chicago).  Cymande’s music has retained a cult following over the years and even today the name is still well known by the new generation of successful garage, hip-hop and rap artists who have sampled several of the original tracks.

Nearly 40 years on, Sam is still working on Cymande projects. In 2010, core members (Patrick, Steve, Sam, Mike, Pablo and Derek)  reunited to reignite the Cymande “flame”.    The band is currently in the recording studio, with their producer, John Schroeder, recording tracks for an eagerly awaited album of new material.  This will delight their fans worldwide.  Cymande are also planning live performances to take place in 2012.

In 2007, Sam was involved in BBC3’s Soul Britannia season at the Barbican. He took on the role of Musical Director, leading his own band, Sam Kelly’s Station House, as the rhythm section for the Soul Britannia Allstars Review.  This Review included Madeline Bell, Linda Lewis, Hamish Stewart and the Cymande All Stars featuring Jimmy Lindsay.

Sam is currently drumming with the Mick Ralphs Blues Band, Papa George Band, Geoff Achison and the UK Souldiggers, Chuck Farley, Giles Hedley and the Aviators, Francesco Boldini (Italy) , Grooviticus (Europe) and Blues Sans Frontieres.  Early in 2008 Sam went into the studio to record the rhythm tracks for the late great, Gary Moore’s new album, ‘Bad For you Baby’, and shortly after joined Gary’s band for a 10-date tour in Germany.

Over the years Sam has worked with Chaka Khan, Dr John, Ben E. King, Robert Plant, The Foundations, Gordon Haskell, Billy Ocean, Desmond Dekker, Eddie Floyd, Roger Chapman, Michelle Shocked, Stan Webb and Otis Taylor .… to name but a few.

Sam also runs his own bands, Sam Kelly’s Station House, Primo Blue, Sam Kelly’s Blues Band and roots/reggae band “Fowokan”.

Sam’s long career covers live gigs, festivals, drum workshops, theatre work, radio and TV sessions, both in the UK and overseas. He has been voted into Blues In Britain magazine Gallery of the Greats, as a five-times winner of the ‘UK Drummer of the Year’ award.  Combined with his years of experience and his reputation within the UK blues fraternity, Sam is a highly accessible, sought after drummer.