Native New Yorker, saxophonist, recording artist, clinician and composer, Sam Dillon has
established himself as one of the most in demand musicians of his generation. Sam’s
prolific soloist and sideman work includes over 40 studio recordings, performances on a
global level and international recognition as one of the defining tenor saxophone voices
today.
Sam’s latest album, co-lead with Andrew Gould entitled “It Takes One To Know One”,
was released on Cellar Live Records in 2022 and is streaming on all platforms. Sam’s
most recent sideman recording’s include Mark Sherman’s “With Freedom” on Miles High
Records (2023) and Chris Hajian’s “A Portrait in Melancholy” (2023). Sam’s previous
leader albums include “Two Part Solution” with Frank Basile on Cellar Live in (2020);
“Force Field” on PosiTone (2019) and “Out In The Open” on Cellar Live (2018). Please
refer to Sam’s website for his full discography.
In addition to Sam’s work as a leader, his long history with big bands include extensive
touring, recording and preforming with The Vanguard Orchestra, The Jimmy Heath Big
Band, Mingus Big Band, Slide Hampton Octet, The 8BitBigBand, The Steven Feifke Big
Band, The Birdland Big Big and several others.
In 2022 Sam was awarded a Grammy Certificate for his participation in The 8-Bit Big
Band’s Meta Knight’s Revenge (From “Kirby Superstar”). In 2016 Sam was awarded an
Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School granting him his third degree in music
performance including a masters degree and bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase
College in 2009. In 2013, Sam was selected as one of 13 semi-finalists in the prestigious
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.
Sam is also the director of the jazz program at USDAN Summer Camp For The Arts
where he has acted as both a teacher and administrator for the past 6 years.
Sam is an endorsing artist for Yamaha Saxophones and D’Addario Reeds.
established himself as one of the most in demand musicians of his generation. Sam’s
prolific soloist and sideman work includes over 40 studio recordings, performances on a
global level and international recognition as one of the defining tenor saxophone voices
today.
Sam’s latest album, co-lead with Andrew Gould entitled “It Takes One To Know One”,
was released on Cellar Live Records in 2022 and is streaming on all platforms. Sam’s
most recent sideman recording’s include Mark Sherman’s “With Freedom” on Miles High
Records (2023) and Chris Hajian’s “A Portrait in Melancholy” (2023). Sam’s previous
leader albums include “Two Part Solution” with Frank Basile on Cellar Live in (2020);
“Force Field” on PosiTone (2019) and “Out In The Open” on Cellar Live (2018). Please
refer to Sam’s website for his full discography.
In addition to Sam’s work as a leader, his long history with big bands include extensive
touring, recording and preforming with The Vanguard Orchestra, The Jimmy Heath Big
Band, Mingus Big Band, Slide Hampton Octet, The 8BitBigBand, The Steven Feifke Big
Band, The Birdland Big Big and several others.
In 2022 Sam was awarded a Grammy Certificate for his participation in The 8-Bit Big
Band’s Meta Knight’s Revenge (From “Kirby Superstar”). In 2016 Sam was awarded an
Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School granting him his third degree in music
performance including a masters degree and bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase
College in 2009. In 2013, Sam was selected as one of 13 semi-finalists in the prestigious
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.
Sam is also the director of the jazz program at USDAN Summer Camp For The Arts
where he has acted as both a teacher and administrator for the past 6 years.
Sam is an endorsing artist for Yamaha Saxophones and D’Addario Reeds.
