Sam Massey is a well-regarded UK-based composer/bandleader, trumpeter and educator, hailed as a “fine trumpet player” by John Fordham of the Guardian (Mike Westbrook ‘A Bigger Show’ Review, February 2016) and has had his composition described as “absolutely breathtakingly stunning” by Matt Tantock of BBC Introducing.
He has worked alongside top-class musicians from across the UK in a wide variety of genres, including:
Pop
- PP Arnold (Tina Turner, Rolling Stones)
- Ocean Colour Scene
- Paul Weller
- Hannah Williams and the Affirmations
- Steve Cradock, Horace Painter, Lynval Golding (of The Specials)
- The Black Voices
- The Commitments
- Symphonic Ibiza
Jazz, Folk & Gospel
- Mike Westbrook OBE
- Claire Martin OBE
- Clare Teal
- Matt Ford
- Eliza Carthy MBE
- Dick Pearce
- Jason Rebello
- Iain Ballamy
- Mike Outram
- Mike Lovatt
- Glenn Miller Orchestra UK
- Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra
- GBH Big Band
Classical/Chamber/Library Music
- Bob Chilcott
- Superlocrian
- Kokoro (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra)
- Brass Quintet with members of the John Wilson Orchestra
- Eric Vloemans & Paul Archibald Trumpet Ensemble
- Blaze Ensemble
- Veritas Orchestra
- Phonograph Effect
- Kevin Harding
TRIBUTE
- Simply Dan
- Typically Tina
- Seriously Collins
- Magic of Motown
- Soul Legends
- History of Soul
- The Jam’d
STREET BAND
- Tongues of Fire
- Bristol Street Band
- London Street Band
- Sound of the Streets
As a freelance composer, arranger and performer, he and his music has been broadcast on numerous BBC, Absolute Radio, Jazz FM and RAI Radio 3 (Italy) programmes and is found on critically acclaimed albums and tours by artists as diverse as PP Arnold, Ocean Colour Scene, Mike Westbrook, Superlocrian and The Simmertones.
Working with ensembles and artists across the UK & Europe, Sam has performed to sell-out crowds at venues such as:
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
- The Welsh Millennium Centre
- Kings Place Hall One
- Teatro Rossini (Lugo, Italy)
- Gaz Arte (Athens, Greece)
- Places aux Artistes (Albi, France)
- Various festivals including Boardmasters & Bestival
- Cheltenham Jazz Festival
- St Ives Jazz Club.
His composition, arrangement and harmony tutors include Callum Au, Nigel Wood, Dr Glyn Jenkins and Philip Harper and is showcasing his arrangement and composition skills in six-piece acoustic chamber jazz wind ensemble ‘Superlocrian’, as well as his Ensemble.
As a jazz artist, Sam is a regular member of Mike Westbrook’s “Uncommon Orchestra”, releasing their debut album ‘A Bigger Show Live’ produced by Jon Hiseman to critical acclaim in 2016, and has since featured at top jazz venues across the country. His own jazz projects include a 7-piece Ensemble featuring his own compositions and arrangements, as well as a highly renowned quartet, quintet and trio. Sam’s jazz projects have featured at venues including Crazy Coqs, London, Bristol, Sidmouth and Teignmouth Jazz Festivals, The Bebop Club, St Ives Jazz Club and The Future Inn, Bristol.
Sam has studied trumpet with Dean Wright (Professor of Trumpet at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Brian Rance and jazz trumpet with Nick Malcolm. In addition, he has attended masterclasses with internationally acclaimed Alison Balsom, Eric Vloiemans, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Steve Waterman.
Sam has a passion for teaching and education projects are a key part of his musical life.
He is an experienced brass tutor, teaching both individually and at group level in a number of educational institutions. Alongside his work as a freelance peripatetic tutor and workshop leader, Sam is a Music Development Lead for Devon Music Education Hub and was a finalist in the Music Inspiration Awards category at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2025.
As a jazz educator, he has worked with Mark Bassey (Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire), British Jazz Award-winning Gareth Lockrane, Karen Sharp, Andy Tweed (jazz tutor at Wells Cathedral School/Birmingham Conservatoire), Ed Leaker & Nick Malcolm (Wells Cathedral School Jazz Department), Jon Stokes, Tom Green, Mark Whitlam, Andy Hague and Lewis Riley, and is a founder member of South Devon Youth Jazz.
Media
Check out the Media page for some video and audio examples of the above!
Thank You
Sam has a lot of people to thank for their part in his music education, some of which will be listed below, but a thank you goes out to everyone who has given their help and support over the years, especially:
Jill Bird, Kathy Banks, Lewis Riley, Dean Wright, Catherine Tyler, Nick Malcolm, Brian Rance, Andy Stark, Bristol University Music Department, Richard Burdett, Dr Ian Wellens, Dave Holdsworth, Dr Gary Bayley, Mike Westbrook, Bob Humphries, the Eigenlabs team, Wells Cathedral School, and everyone else who isn’t mentioned but deserves a thank you.
Sam Massey 