Jazz is Sam's Language
Sam began to play jazz piano in 2005 when he was 13, and immediately it was clear that jazz was Sam's language. Like many people on the autistic spectrum, Sam had never found the standard give and take of conversation easy or natural. Jazz improvisation, on the other hand, is where Sam is most clever, expressive, and naturally at home.
Under the expert and caring guidance of his teachers, Trudy Silver, Danny Mixon, David Dormeus, Gary Dial, Dan Kaufman and Adam Rafferty, Sam has blossomed as a musician, becoming more and more skilled in the complex language of jazz improvisation and creating his own very expressive and personal style.
We are all extremely appreciative of their supportive and encouraging involvement in Sam's musical education as well as that of many other musicians Sam has encountered on his short musical journey so far. Jimmy Owens, Reggie Workman,Robert Redd, John Jensen, Billy Taylor, Roni Ben-Hur, Jeff Warschauer, Gili Sharett, Tardo Hammer, Vinnie Martucci and Roswell Rudd have all been helpful and deserve heartfelt thanks.
In addition to jazz, Sam has explored klezmer and other areas of popular music. We look forward to Sam's musical future.
Since 2018 Sam has been actively engaged in performances with Special Audiences and Musicians, Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing performance opportunities for jazz musicians who have been under-represented in the professional music community; mainly musicians with disabilities, senior jazz musicians and female jazz musicians. Sam was the inspiration for the creation of this important organization.
In January 2022 Special Audiences and Musicians released its debut album, “The Compositions of Sam Baum” The Special Audiences and Jazz Musicians Jazz Sextet performed 11 of his original tunes. Digital copies as well as physical CDs can be obtain from bandcamp as well as all the major streaming platforms.
Recent video about Sam by Gabby Caplan
https://www.instagram.com/tv/BvhMrApFBdI/