Sam Wagner aka Sammy Wags is a Hudson Valley, NY based performing and composing instrumentalist.
Steadily making his mark as a leader, and a unique voice in modern World/Jazz/Groove based music, there is a remarkable diversity in his offerings to the current creative musical landscape. He is the Composer/Producer/Drummer of the critically acclaimed Afrobeat/Jazz group; The Brighton Beat, the Composer/Producer/Keyboardist for the modern Soul/Funk quartet; Mr. Clifford and leads an ever-evolving group under his own name in which he performs on a hybrid Guitar/Bass instrument of his own creation.
An accomplished educator, with roots in the Hudson Valley, Sam has a passion for music education, and has extensive experience working with students of all ages. Both alone, and with a variety of ensembles he has given clinics, workshops, and master-classes on rhythm, improvisation, creativity, composition and Jazz history.
The home of Sam’s original projects, and the many up-and-coming artists he works with is The Koop Studio, a professional recording and music production facility in Westchester County, NY. A personally curated blend of vintage and modern equipment mixed with an eclectic recording approach and ideology provide for a truly unique recording experience tailored for freedom of expression and creativity. Sam’s recording and production work has been featured on commercial and independent radio, network television, major studio films and large market video game releases.
Regardless of challenge, risk and reward, Sam is determined to make his, and his peers voices heard in the ever-changing landscape of creative music. His consistent, overarching goal in all musical pursuits is to encourage thoughtfulness, to provoke emotion, and to lift the spirits of all who he interacts with. Success is not personal, it’s universal.