
by Rosie G.
March 12, 2023
This multi-instrumentalist is constantly pushing the boundaries in jazz music. Sam Gendel from California dedicated himself to jazz music from a young age. His instrument of choice is the saxophone, and he plays guitar as well as a composer and producer. He wasn’t thrilled about the confines of jazz and has stepped outside your traditional type of jazz recordings. While in L.A. he met a group of jazz musicians that were on the same page and he even recorded an album with bass player, Sam Wilkes. An album you have to check out titled, Music for Saxofone and Bass Guitar which was released in 2018.
Sam Gendel has performed for and recorded with such artists as Moses Sumney, Vampire Weekend, Ry Cooder, and many others. His music is best described as ambient jazz with funk elements. He made his album debut in 2020 with Satin Doll a critically acclaimed album with a futuristic homage to jazz. He just released his new album, Cook Up which features R&B singer-songwriter and bad-ass bassist Me’Shell Ndegeocello on one of the songs. The song “Anywhere” with Me’shell singing is sexy and soulful and I can’t stop listening to it. The album features ambient jazz remakes of R&B songs by such artists as Erykah Badu, Ginuwine, Soul For Real, Beyonce, and more. He is now on tour and hopefully with play some dates here in NYC. Check out this talented jazz multi-instrumentalist and support independent music and musicians. Happy listening!
"Anywhere"