Sam Friend is a New Orleans-based composer, vocalist, and guitarist. Born in New York, he performed regularly in Manhattan and the surrounding area with his band The Hoodoo Sauce, before they recorded their first EP at the legendary Jungle City Studios in 2011. Sam co-founded the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys in 2012 and toured internationally with the band for several years, recording 4 albums while also making a viral video with over one million unique views, with the band’s trad-jazz version of the Game of Thrones theme song. 

Friend has headlined New York's Blue Note, B.B. Kings, London's Ronnie Scott's, and a variety of jazz festivals all over the globe. His original music has been featured on NCIS:New Orleans, CBS, VanityFair.com and National Public Radio. He has also appeared onscreen in Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back and John Stuart Muller's 2016 feature film Indiscretion, amongst other small roles in tv/film. Sam released an album of all original music dedicated to his late sister, entitled Twin, in December of 2016.

In the fall of 2020, Sam released the album "Coming Home." It was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, LA. The album features Andrew Elmo Price on Bass, Beck Burger on keys, Nick Solnick on Drums, and Bryce Eastwood on saxophone. It also features guest vocal performances by the Chapel Hart Band and by Alicia Renee aka Blue Eyes.

Coming Home is now available on all major platforms

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Previous events

Oct21

Sam Friend and Bryce Eastwood Duo at BMacs

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B Mac's Bar and Courtyard, 819 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA

Please join the Bmacs Family for a Friday evening Meetup that will include a toast to Ann Crowley Canavan, our Second Plant Swap Event, some Funky Tie Dyes available by Vicki for purchase, and special music by Sam Friend & Bryce Eastwood. (Music from 7 to 9) Plant Swap Details - Bring a live potted plant to the event and you will leave with a new one Looking forward to hearing some new music as I recently met Sam at Bmacs while watching the Saints games. Hope to see you out there!

Sam Friend Band @ Rockwood Music Hall

(EST, UTC-05) (EST, UTC-05)

Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St, New York, NY

Sam Friend Band in New York City, Playing originals from the album COMING HOME and more... first New York Performance since 2019 With Pete Maness on Bass and Charles Goold on Drums www.samfriendmusic.com

Ticket Link: http://www.seetickets.us/event/Sam-Friend/460649 DATE: 02/06/2022 STAGE 3 Doors: 8:30PM Show: 9:00PM 21+ TICKET PRICE: $10 COVID-19 POLICY (subject to change at any time per city/state mandate) Per NYC mandate, all shows from August 16 onward will have a vaccination requirement for entry. Testing will not be an option/alternative. Performers, crew, staff and patrons will need to show proof of full vaccination to enter the venue. Proof can be in the form of a CDC issued card (photo, OK) or the Excelsior pass. Our Covid info page with the latest info is here: https://rockwoodmusichall.com/covid-19/

$10

Sam Friend Trio at Alvin and Friends

 — (EST, UTC-05) — (EST, UTC-05)

Alvin and Friends, 14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle, NY

Join the Sam Friend Trio for an intimate dinner performance at local favorite Alvin and Friends.

Music from 7:30-10:30.

Looking forward to experiencing some of Alvin's amazing food in the company of friends and family back in my hometown of New Rochelle.

Featuring Pete Maness on Bass and Graciliano Zambonin on drums.

Release Party for "COMING HOME" The latest album of original music from Sam Friend 8-11 PM at the Royal Frenchman Hotel @ 700 Frenchman Street $10 Cover Price of Admission includes FREE physical CD copy of the album for the first 25 attendees. (only $5 after) Featuring: Beck Burger on Keys Bryce Eastwood on Saxophone Nick Benoit on Bass Kevin O’Day on Drums Sam Friend on Guitar and Vocals www.samfriendmusic.com www.cominghome.bandcamp.com @samfriendmusic on Instagram

Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings are hosting Mardi Gras Week at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

This will be the bands third year hosting this week-long show.

I will be the featured artist on Friday.

Show is at 11 PM.

Here is a recent interview with Alphonso on the festivities: http://magazine.ivy.com/2018/02/making-mardi-gras-alphonso-horne-talks-jazz-new-orleans-playing-dizzys-club-coca-cola/?utm_source=arts&utm_medium=social&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=alphonse-horne-interview

Jul7

Sam Friend Band at the Hi Ho Lounge

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Hi-Ho Lounge , 2239 St Claude Ave. , New Orleans, LA

Sam Friend will be performing with his full band at the Hi-Ho Lounge!

Featuring original music from the album Twin and also new, never-before-heard material!

8-11 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1861489300766917/ www.hiholounge.net

P.S. 80's and 90's themed dance party happens right after we play.

Friend’s voice has the warmth of James Taylor but also the endearingly awkward earnestness of Ben Folds and more than a little of Dr. John’s natural jazz-blues drawl”

Robert Fontenot, Offbeat Magazine

Music and Lyrics © Sam Friend Music 2020