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Sammy Figueroa was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of thewell-known singer Charlie Figueroa. His first professional experiencecame at the age of 18 with the band of bassist Bobby Valentin. Duringthis time he co-founded the innovative fusion Brazilian/Latin group Raices, which broke ground for many of todayís bands.

After releasing a classic album on Atlantic Records, the band moved to New York where Sammy was soon discovered by jazz flautist Herbie Mann. Tours and albums with the Brecker Brothers, Average White Band and John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra followed, culminating in recordings and tours with the legendary Miles Davis.

Since then Sammy has played with a multitude of distinguished jazz and Latin jazz artists including 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, Luis Salinas, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Valentin, Tania Maria and Michel Camillo, who wrote the song "And Sammy Walked In" in his honor (this song was also recorded by Giovanni Hidalgo.)

Sammy also played with most of the worldís major pop stars. He appeared on Mariah Carey's MTV Unplugged album and video and has recorded or performed with James Taylor, Dr. John, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Celine Dion, Blues Traveler, Steve Winwood, 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant, David Lee Roth, Hall & Oates, Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones, Annie Lennox and many, many more. Sammy played on many classic r & b hits such as Luther Vandross' "The Night I Fell In Love" and Ashford and Simpson's "Solid Like A Rock". He also recorded with Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Grace Jones, James Ingram, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin and can be heard on most of the Nile Roger and Bernard Edwards disco hits such as Chic and Sister Sledge. As one of New York's most sought after session players Sammy played on countless albums, jingles and film scores. His famed sense of humor, ebullient personality, and open-heartedness are famous within the music industry and have enabled him to develop close relationships with artists and fellow musicians.

In the spirit of experimentation he has collaborated and appeared with artists such as Paul Winter, Glen Velez and Michael Shrieve. He has also worked with Wynton Marsalis on an educational program for children and taught a shaman/percussion workshop called Thunder Drums.

Sammy's sounds and rhythms are also featured on "Percussionworks" (Big Fish Audio), a highly popular sampling and "beats" collection used by producers and recording engineers throughout the world.

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