Dave Samuels papers, 1958-2019

American vibraphonist, percussionist, composer, and educator David “Dave” Alan Samuels (October 9, 1948 - April 22, 2019) was born in Waukegan, Illinois to Arthur and Ethel Samuels and grew up in Winnetka, Illinois, where he studied drums with Jake Jerger and piano with Alan Swain. From a young age, Samuels performed with his older brothers in the family band; he played in the New Trier High School jazz band and also gigged at local parties and special events beginning at age fifteen. Samuels taught himself vibraphone after being introduced to the instrument by friend and mentor Renick Ross; his first public performance on vibraphone was with the Renick Ross Trio at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago on November 3, 1968.

Samuels initially studied music at Roosevelt University but ultimately transferred to Boston University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1971. Samuels briefly taught general music in a junior high school in Dorchester after graduation and also took three private vibraphone lessons from Gary Burton, who recommended him to the Berklee College of Music faculty in 1972. After two years as a percussion and improvisation instructor at Berklee, Samuels moved to New York City, where he recorded and toured first with Frank Zappa and then Gerry Mulligan’s sextet.

In addition to sidemanning gigs and collaborations with artists such as Keiko Abe, Carla Bley, Michael Stagmeister, Paul McCandless, Pat Metheny, The Fantasy Band, Bobby McFerrin, and the Yellowjackets, Samuels went on to co-found several groups, including the mallet duo Double Image with David Friedman in 1974, the Skylight Trio with McCandless and Art Lande, and Gallery (with McCandless, David Darling, Ratzo Harris, and Michael DiPasqua). In 1993 with Andry Narell and Paquito D’Rivera, Samuels formed the Caribbean Jazz Project (CJP), whose original lineup also included Berklee alumni Dario Eskenazi (’88) and future Berklee colleagues Oscar Stagnaro and Mark Walker. CJP won a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2003 for the album The Gathering as well as a Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for the album Afro Bop Alliance in 2008. Samuels also recorded and performed with the contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra for over fifteen years (1977-1994), during which time the group was named #1 Contemporary Jazz Artist and Contemporary Jazz Group of the 80s by Billboard magazine and were nominated for several Grammy awards. Samuels recorded more than 100 albums over the course of his career, including twenty-four albums with Spyro Gyra, ten with Caribbean Jazz Project, ten solo albums, and six with Double Image.

In 1995, Samuels returned to Berklee where he taught courses in the Ensemble department, gave private instruction, and conducted ensembles until 2016. Samuels was also an adjunct professor at New England Conservatory, New York University, and Manhattan School of Music, and traveled internationally to offer masterclasses and clinics.

Samuels published two volumes of the method book Contemporary Vibraphone Techniques (1992), as well as works for ensemble “Rendezvous” and “Square Corners,” and a work for marimba solo, “Footpath.” He also created his own signature line of mallets with the manufacturer Malletech.

Samuels was voted “Best Vibes Player” in both JAZZIZ (1987, 1989, 1992) and Modern Drummer magazines (1987, 1989). In 2015, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Hall of Fame and Double Image was inducted into the World Mallet Association Hall of Fame. Samuels served as a member of the PAS board of directors from 1986–1993 and 2005–2011. He was also an actor/speaker for the To Whom I May Concern program for individuals and families of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Samuels was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2013 and died April 22, 2019 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.