I actually planned to write this as an intro to the video below taken at Cafe Oto recently. I’ve a fascination for Sam and his music so I naturally delved deeper and thought I’d share a bit more about him.
This video was taken by the lovely Anika: www.anikainlondon.com
Many folks don’t realise that Sam is very fond of the fiddle. The video below shows Andy Woolf leading a young Sam Amidon. It includes Bob Lucas on Banjo, Frederick Park leading a dance with the girls, Reuel Parker on mandoline, Nick Appolonio on guitar along with Will brown, Beth Molaro clogging. I read somewhere that Sam took an interest in Irish music in rebellion against his parents interest in American Roots music. I couldn’t find the article so don’t take my word on that although it sounds plausible.
He formed a trio in 2008 with Isaac Alderson (Uilleann Pipes, Flute) and Keith Murphy (Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals). Their influences quoted, included some of the biggest names in Irish traditonal music: Tommy Peoples, Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn, Seamus Ennis and Mary Bergin. The video below was taken at an Irish Session at the Malthouse in NY.