Sam Graham Trio

• Sam Graham - guitar, vocal, leader
• Jonathan Mohr - bass
• or Marc Doten - bass, keyboards, vocal
• Ralf Balzer - drums
• or Mark San Filippo - drums
• or Richard Fultineer - drums, percussion

Since its formation in 2002, the Sam Graham Trio has performed hundreds of gigs, from the hilltops of Los Angeles (The Getty Center) to the basements of New York (the Jazz Lounge at CBGB's), from restaurants and bars to open air concerts, private parties, weddings, corporate gatherings, and numerous other events.

While we draw on an extensive repertoire of jazz standards popularized by Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Mose Allison, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and many more, we also explore our roots in pop and rock music with innovative and surprising (and swinging) adaptations of songs by Nirvana, Metallica, the Doors, Tom Petty, even Radiohead and the White Stripes. We can play jobs that call for an all-instrumental song list, all-vocal, or a combination of the two.

All in all, it adds up to a singular style: JAZZ FOR MODERNS.

Our group offers four musicians for the price of three, with bandleader Sam Graham handling both guitar and vocals. Although we usually perform as a three-piece (guitar-vocals, bass, and drums), we can add others musicians and singers as requested.

ALSO: for those with more limited budgets, Sam Graham has also booked gigs as a guitar-bass duo. And if your space or your budget is really small, Sam also performs solo, either unaccompanied or with pre-recorded backing tracks featuring a complete jazz rhythm section.

Please contact Sam for more information about this very viable option. You can find a link to Sam's solo site at Gigmasters at the bottom of this page.

• Your choice -- we'll play it! - anyone
• Holiday music -- we've got it! - everyone
• VOCAL JAZZ - such as:
• Night and Day - Frank Sinatra
• It's All Right With Me - Frank Sinatra
• I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
• Sweet Lorraine - Nat King Cole
• Straighten Up and Fly Right - Nat King Cole
• Azure Te - Nat King Cole
• Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You - Nat King Cole
• Choo Choo Ch-Boogie - Louis Jordan
• I Want You to Be My Baby - Louis Jordan
• Lullaby of Birdland - George Shearing
• Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me - Duke Ellington
• Your Mind is on Vacation - Mose Allison
• Lost Mind - Mose Allison
• If You Live - Mose Allison
• It Ain't Necessarily So - from "Porgy and Bess"
• INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ - for example:
• Milestones - Miles Davis
• So What - Miles Davis
• Joshua - Miles Davis
• Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis
• Seven Steps to Heaven - Miles Davis
• Road Song - Wes Montgomery
• Angel - Wes Montgomery
• Work Song - Cannonball Adderley
• Jeannine - Cannonball Adderley
• Unit Seven - Cannonball Adderley
• Cute - Count Basie
• Topsy - Oscar Peterson
• Swing 42 - Django Reinhardt
• Nuages - Django Reinhardt
• Killer Joe - Quincy Jones
• Straight, No Chaser/Well You Needn't - Thelonious Monk
• Green Dolphin Street - jazz standard
• Chill - Joshua Redman
• Harlem Nocturne - Johnny Otis, many others
• Stolen Moments - Oliver Nelson
• Loie - Kenny Burrell
• BALLADS - for instance:
• My One and Only Love - standard
• Willow Weep for Me - standard
• My Funny Valentine - standard
• 'Round Midnight - standard
• Moonlight in Vermont - standard
• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - standard
• Georgia on My Mind - standard
• JAZZ ROCKS! - jazz versions of pop/rock songs
• Breathe - Pink Floyd
• Albatross (instrumental) - Fleetwood Mac
• Come As You Are - Nirvana
• Lithium - Nirvana
• All Apologies - Nirvana
• Enter Sandman - Metallica
• Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
• Creep - Radiohead
• Riders on the Storm - The Doors
• Love Me Two Times - The Doors
• Break on Through - The Doors
• Breakdown - Tom Petty
• Up on the Roof - The Drifters
• Consider Me Gone - Sting
• Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
• My Girl - The Temptations
• Spooky - Classics IV
• She's Leaving Home - The Beatles
• Harvest Moon - Neil Young
• LATIN, BRAZIIAN, ETC. - including:
• Poinciana - Ahmad Jamal
• Little Sunflower - Freddie Hubbard
• How Insensitive - A.C. Jobim
• Blue Bossa - standard
• Summer Samba - Bebel Gilberto
• Triste - Sinatra, others

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Cocktail Parties, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• The Sam Graham Trio was absolutely fabulous! We hired them for our wedding to play during the cocktail hour and part of the reception. The guests loved them and several asked for Sam's business card. They were professional, friendly, accommodating and prompt(despite a far drive and rainstorm). Their musical selection was perfect and I would hire them again in heartbeat. Having a live band was such an amazing way to do something different than just having a DJ. Thanks Sam, you're the best!!! -- Meisha B, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 3/6/2010
• I was genuinely impressed with the professionalism, the talent and the overall performance of Sam Graham Trio. I booked them from Gigmasters.com and had never done anything of the sort before. They exceeded my expectations and I would hire them again in a heartbeat. They played at a Surprise Party for my husband and did a beautiful job of not only surprising him initially, but took initiative in surprising him throughout the night. They played a beautiful song after briefly hearing of our story which topped off the night. Our guests have made comments to us at how classy and wonderful the group was. Thank you, Sam Graham Trio!!! -- Kerry M, Long Beach, CA, 11/14/2008
• I wish I had more room to describe how WONDERFUL Sam Graham Trio were. They played for our wedding reception and they were very professional, VERY prompt [response & attendance], very flexible, offered variety, & just talented musicians. 'Twas a perfect mix of popular jazz songs, sprinkled in with a mix of their own great pieces! Their music was refreshing, not old, and they're quite a pleasant bunch! I think the most positive feedback I got of our whole wedding from all our friends and family alike, were of Sam Graham Trio! [not even an exaggeration] -- Jean C, Los Angeles, CA, 11/14/2009
• Sam Graham's Trio played three hours of swinging and soulful 'jazz for moderns', and my guests loved every minute of it. One said, "How great is this? We've got our own private jazz concert!" Sam's arrangements are creative and artful, conveying the richness and complexity of the songs while delivering a distinctively sophisticated, smooth and delicious musical sound. The players are top-caliber musicians, displaying expert-level technique and tasteful musical interpretation, delivering music that filled my party with joie de vivre. I recommend them without reservation as some of the best soulful jazz in Los Angeles. -- Valerie E, West Hills, CA, 10/4/2009
• Class Act!If you are in the market for a jazz act then look no further. They were on time, courteous, and professional. Their repertoire was eclectic and entertaining. They were well received by the diverse crowd at the restaurant were booked them for and made the over all feel of our event very elegant. Thanks Sam, you guys ruled! Clay Murray DC Productions -- Clay M, Bishop, CA, 2/14/2011
• My guests loved Sam and his group, he was such a pleasure to work with from the moment we booked him. My only regret is that I couldn't spend more time listening to him and his group. He did wait for me to arrive and pay attention before he played my special song request, "Seven Nation Army" by White Stripes. All of my friends were floored when they started playing that and Nirvana. Several of them came up to me to ask for their card. Thank you Sam Graham Trio! -- Jamie S, Los Angeles, CA, 5/15/2010
• We hired the Sam Graham Trio for a corporate event. Many people complimented us on the music throughout the entire night (which is a big deal seeing as many people at the company are musicians themselves). Even with little direction the group was able to select the perfect mix of music and helped make the night a huge success! -- Kelsey S, Valencia, CA, 1/14/2011
• The Sam Graham Trio did an excellent job at our event. We literally could not say enough positive words about their performance. We received so many compliments about them, and many people in our families are musicians themselves. Everyone was very impressed. During the dinner especially, everyone commented about not only how great they sounded, but how the volume was at an appropriate volume and people did not have to shout to be heard as has happened at many other weddings we've attended. Sam Graham is a very nice and accommodating guy and a very talented musician. -- Summre G, Santa Monica, CA, 8/15/2010
• We totally enjoyed this group. They hadn't even finished yet and people were asking how to book them. They played a varied song list that appealed to all the age groups at our event. We will definitly consider hiring this group for future parties and events and I plan to recommend them to my corporate office for it's parties and events. Thank you so much for providing me the information about The Sam Graham Trio. -- Adrianne D, Hacienda Heights, CA, 9/20/2008
• The Sam Graham Trio transformed my wedding reception into an elegant affair that went well beyond my expectations! Sam did an excellent job handling the announcements and following our schedule. They played all of the songs we requested, and our guests were extremely impressed with their rock covers of Nirvana and The Doors. I received many, many compliments on the music and everyone had a great time, I highly recommend them! -- Angelique C, Santa Ana, CA, 5/10/2008
• WOW!! Sam and his trio made my 50th birthday party an "event"! They were incredible and so very nice. They even allowed my 15 year old son to jam with them on his flugle horn. I would highly recommend them! Thank you! Jeanne -- Jeanne T, Chino Hills, CA, 4/12/2008
• Sam Graham was incredible! VERY pleasant to work with, VERY professional -- they were a great asset to our event. Would absolutely hire again. Thank you! -- Katy F, Los Angeles, CA, 4/6/2008
• Excellent, Sam Graham Trio gave a touch of class to our wedding party. Everyone loved the music and enjoyed their performance. Thanks Sam, it was fantastic!!!!!! Carlos & AJ October 4, 2008 -- Aj H, Huntington Beach, CA, 10/4/2008
• I would HIGHLY recommend this band to anyone and everyone! The Sam Graham Trio sounded incredible at our wedding! Sam Graham was very sweet and very easy to work with. They were very accomodating to all our requests and they were very flexible with all the changes we made. All our guests really enjoyed their music, we received many, many complements on having this band. It was such a joy having them be a part of our wedding. Thank you! -- Nancy L, Pasadena, CA, 1/20/2008
• Sam Graham and the guys are as classy as you will find. They understand who they are playing for and the right times for the right music. We would highly recommend them for all occasions. -- Mike P, Arcadia, CA, 11/8/2008
• Sam was sweet, wonderfully communicative and accommodating. His trio's music was good and always fit the moment. He was savvy about putting on a good show, and fading out tactfully for our speeches and romantic moments. For the cost-conscious, his trio is an excellent value. -- Matt/lisa G, Beverly Hills, CA, 8/10/2008
• I have now hired this group twice. They are very professional. They arrive early to set-up and begin on time. Their music is excellent, they know what to play to the guests there. Everyone at the party commented on how much they liked this group. It was a pleasure to have entertainment that knows what to do. I would absolutely use them again. -- Brian N, Sherman Oaks, CA, 12/15/2007
• The crew was very friendly and played any/all requests we made. They had a smooth style and everything they played was easy to listen to. They had some great jazzy renditions of popular songs, to include Metalica! I spoke with our guests and many of them asked us how we found the "cool band." My wife and I did extensive research in looking for a group to play at our party. We liked what we heard from the "Sam Graham Trio" on the internet and LOVED what we heard in person. I would recommend these guys over and over again. If we ever have another event in the Southland, the Sam Graham Trio will definitely get a call from us. As a matter of fact, if they were not available, I would consider changing my event date to wait for them. I would like to add that I never met these guys before our event date and they did not pay me to say this!!!!!! -- Elizabeth N, Van Nuys, CA, 12/18/2006
• Sam was very accommodating to our group's needs. He was very responsive, and it was a pleasure to work with him. The group was great and the guests really enjoyed the music. -- Caroline W, Los Angeles, CA, 2/12/2008
• All the guests will love you for calling Sam Graham Trio! The wedding was smooth! All thanks to Sam, Ralph and Jonathan! They'll definitely light up the mood! And no doubt the party will be successful! -- Megan S, Los Angeles, CA, 12/31/2011
• We loved the Sam Graham Trio and will definitely hire them again!!! The playlist & talent was an A++ -- Crystal C, Beverly Hills, CA, 10/23/2011

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• Sam Graham — Los Angeles, California