musician | producer
"... ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED MUSICIANS TO COME OUT OF BRAZIL IN RECENT YEARS ..."
Claudio Roditi
ONGOING
PROJECTS
Brazilian Rhythm Workshop enhances students' understanding of Brazilian music's key rhythmic elements. Emphasizing practical application, the program aims to improve performances across distinct Brazilian styles. It focuses on building a solid rhythmic foundation and broadening musical vocabulary for fluid, expressive performances.
Additionally, an extensive range of free online resources, including videos, play-alongs, playlists, and music charts, is provided to support ongoing studies.
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Jazz & Samba Conversations is a show in partnership with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, where Samuel invites a Jazz master to play and discuss the connections between Jazz and Brazilian music.
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Latest Episode (Hendrik Meurkens Part 1)
- 1st Episode with Marcus McLaurine
(bass player for Clark Terry for more than 30 years)
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- 2nd Episode with Hendrik Meurkens
(one of the world's leading exponents of the jazz harmonica)
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Sam Martinelli is a musician, producer, and educator based in New York City with a Master Degree in Jazz Studies from the City University of New York.
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He has shared the stage and studio with renowned names in Brazilian Jazz, such as Ken Peplowski, Alcione, Hendrik Meurkens, Marcus McLaurine, Russell Malone, Kenia, Peter Washington, John DiMartino, and Helio Alves.
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He was a member of Claudio Roditi’s group from 2017 to 2020, during which Roditi referred to him as “… one of the most talented musicians to come out of Brazil in recent years.”
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His debut album as a leader, Crossing Paths, was recorded in 2018 featuring Claudio Roditi, Marcus McLaurine, and Tomoko Ohno. On this album, Martinelli “… provides strong originals, and delivers with grace, while his seasoned colleagues magnify his intentions and find deeper meaning in the notes and tones of the project.” (AllAboutJazz)
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Samuel is a teaching artist at New Jersey Performing Arts Center and a specialist in the Brazilian idiom. He gives workshops and masterclasses at universities and other educational institutions, including Queens College, NJPac, and Litchfield Jazz Camp.
JAZZ
MEETS
THE GREAT
BRAZILIAN
SONGBOOK
New album by Sam Martinelli with Ken Peplowski
Sam Martinelli, "one of the most talented musicians to come out of Brazil in recent years" (Claudio Roditi), is joining forces with Ken Peplowski, lauded as "arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist!" (Russell Davis BBC2), to bring forth a
new album, ‘Jazz Meets the Great Brazilian Songbook’
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The album is a celebration and exploration of the classics from the Brazilian music repertoire, in a fusion of samba, bossa nova, and other Brazilian rhythms, and the spontaneous world of Jazz.
Featuring Ehud Asherie on piano, Martin Wind on bass, and Carina Calistro on vocals, the result is a reimagining of the Great Brazilian Songbook through the free-spirited lens of Jazz.
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