Sam Woodyard

American jazz drummer (1925–1988)

Born: 7 January 1925
Elizabeth
Died: 20 September 1988
Paris
Country: United States

Biography

Sam Woodyard was a jazz musician who played drum kit. Sam Woodyard was born on 7 January 1925 in Elizabeth and died on 20 September 1988 in Paris. The music is usually filed under jazz.

Sam Woodyard (January 7, 1925 – September 20, 1988) was an American jazz drummer. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States. Woodyard was largely an autodidact on drums and played locally in the Newark, New Jersey, area in the 1940s. He performed with Paul Gayten in an R&B group, then played in the early 1950s with Joe Holiday, Roy Eldridge, and Milt Buckner. In 1955, he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra and remained until 1966. After his time with Ellington, Woodyard worked with Ella Fitzgerald, then moved to Los Angeles. In the 1970s, he played less due to health problems, but he recorded with Buddy Rich, and toured with Claude Bolling. In 1983, he belonged to a band with Teddy Wilson, Buddy Tate, and Slam Stewart. His last recording was on Steve Lacy's 1988 album, The Door. He died of cancer in Paris at the age of 63.

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Also plays on

Albums where Sam Woodyard is credited as a sideman

1957	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book — Ella Fitzgerald	drums (drum set)
1957	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book, Volume 2 — Ella Fitzgerald	drums (drum set)
1959	The Birth of a Band — Quincy Jones	drums (drum set)
1960	Dance Air Force Date 1960 — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
1960	Blues in Orbit — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
1961	First Time! The Count Meets the Duke — Duke Ellington and Count Basie	drums (drum set)
1961	Piano in the Foreground — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
1963	Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins — Duke Ellington & Coleman Hawkins	drums (drum set), membranophone
1967	Francis A. & Edward K. — Frank Sinatra with Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
1976	Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
1979	Unknown Session — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
2014	In Gröna Lund 1963 — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
2014	The Duke: Historically Speaking — Duke Ellington	drums (drum set)
2017	Blues In Orbit + The Cosmic Scene — Duke Ellington–	drums (drum set)
2023	Ella Sings the Blues — Ella Fitzgerald	drums (drum set)