Naz & Friends Spotlight: Sam Skelton
About two and a half years ago, I asked Tyrone about who I should call to play horn for my master’s recital. I needed someone who could add a lot of musical color to some of the arrangements. Without hesitation he said, “Sam Skelton.” My response to him, “I don’t think my music is on that kind of level. Plus, he’s so busy. Do you think he would he even play on my recital?” I brought Sam on board & was really nervous to meet him. He is a someone who’s talent & musicianship I respected & admired since I moved here. I got to know Sam a bit better and learned he is an amazing person with a huge heart & equally as amazing as a musician and a true educator. Since then, Sam has been a great mentor, friend, & one of my biggest musical supporters in Atlanta. This picture was taken by Fountaine Lewis at the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Jazz concert in the spring when I was invited back to perform as a guest vocalist & this time I helped to host a Sennheiser headphone giveaway to some lucky audience members at the concert as my thanks to GSO, courtesy of my friends at#Sennheiser / #Neumann . Come check out Sam Skelton live with me at Churchill Grounds on January 8, 2016! #nazlive #samskelton #atlantajazz #churchillgrounds#nazvoice #atlanta #concert #teamnaz #nazradio
A native of Conyers, Georgia, Sam Skelton has been active on the Atlanta music scene for well over 20 years. Sam graduated summa cum laude from GSU with a degree in Jazz Studies. During his studies at GSU, Sam was also a Montgomery Music Scholar and a two-time fellowship recipient to the Aspen Music Festival. He went on to continue his saxophone studies at Boston University. As a woodwind doubler, Skelton is well versed in any genre of music. His grasp of saxophone, clarinet and flute has enabled him to remain an in-demand musician.Some of Sam’s credits include: London Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Pops, Peachtree Pops, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Cobb Symphony Orchestra. As a sideman on over 250 albums, Sam also remains active in the studio and has recorded with the likes of Elton John, Matchbox 20, Train, Edwin McCain, The Gap Band & The Ohio Players. Mr. Skelton is currently Director of Jazz Studies and Senior Lecturer in Saxophone at Kennesaw State University School of Music. Learn about Tyrone, the pianist that will appear at Churchill Grounds with me on January 8, 2016.
