Art and Design:I have worked for over 22 years as a designer and illustrator in traditional and new media. My experience in the field of design includes co-owning a web development and design company; art directing and marketing strategy at an online education start-up; marketing, advertising strategy and design for national cell-phone retailer; as well as working as a contractual in-house designer for several advertising and design companies. ---------------------------Music:I have been playing upright and electric bass professionally for 20 years with a diverse assortment of some of the West Coast's premiere groups in a variety of musical styles. I have played rock with Lily Frost, Mark Hildreth, the Adrienne Pierce band, and Cherrybomb; world music with the Lache Cercel Roma-Swing Ensemble (klezmer-gypsy jazz), Olam (klezmer world-beat), El Sur and Pepe Danza (percussion-driven samba and South American music); jazz with Michael Kaeshammer, and Michael Bublé; and blues, rockabilly and country swing with Brandon Isaak, the Twisters, Ray Condo and the Ricochets, and many more. I also lead several jazz ensembles and co-lead VANABASO (14 + piece AfroBeat band) with John Korsrud (Hard Rubber Orchestra, Drum & Light Festival).I have been fortunate enough to play with phenomenal musicians such as Seattle jazz guitarist Brian Nova, the legendary Herb Ellis, local Juno Award winner Hugh Fraser, Big Band Leaders Donny Clark and Gabriel Mark Hasslebach, Canadian Blues phenomena Big Dave Mclean, Tim Williams and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. A stroke of good fortune (being in the right place at the right time) led to me playing with the Buena Vista Social Club."Sam has, to me, the perfect blend of spirit and chops...and you don't find that very often."- Tim Williams, Roots and Blues Musician, Canadian Acoustic Act of the year, Real Blues Magazine