Samuel is one of the most talented musicians to come out of Brazil in recent times. His taste playing the drums is impeccable either playing Brazilian music or American Jazz. I have used him on most of my recent work and have been very happy with his performances” Claudio Roditi (Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D’Rivera, Herbie Mann), 2018.
Drummer, composer, and educator based in NYC, Samuel Martinelli earned a master degree in Jazz Studies by the City University of New York – Queens College. He has worked with great names in jazz and Brazilian music, including Grammy nominated, and Latin Grammy awarded artists, names such Claudio Roditi as part of his group from 2017 to 2020, legendary Brazilian singer Alcione, Hendrik Meurkens, Marcus McLaurine, Maestro Maurice Peress, Paul Meyers, Jay Leonhart, Itaiguara Brandão, Tomoko Ohno, Dr Andre Thomas, among others, playing at important music venues like Carnegie Hall, LeFrak Hall, jazz festivals and jazz clubs in US.
In 2018, Mr Martinelli released his first album as leader, “Crossing Paths”, featuring multi Grammy-nominated trumpet player Claudio Roditi, bassist legend Marcus McLaurine, and awarded Japanese pianist Tomoko Ohno. The album received great press and it was released in important jazz clubs in NYC area.
