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 Sammy
Merendino is an in-demand session drummer/programmer in NYC. He
has recorded and/or performed with many of the worlds top artists,
including Cameo, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper,
Foreigner, and many others.
Born in Akron Ohio, Sammy started playing drums at 12 years old,
studying with the area's finest teachers. He quickly progressed and
played in various bands, drum & bugle corps, and college orchestras.
He was a member of Easy Street, one of Cleveland's top Bands. Even
with this success he grew restless and wanted to expand. In 1980, a
call from a friend inviting him to audition with Chubby Checker
led him to New York City. He landed the gig and toured with the band
for 18 months. After leaving in the summer of '82, Sammy focused on
the NYC scene, becoming a fixture on Bleeker Street. A chance
meeting with some musicians led to a recording session at Park South
Studios, which led to an album with the Weather Girls. While in the
studio, Larry Blackmon (of Cameo) heard Sammy's drum sound and
invited him to play on their current album (Single Life). A
European tour followed, then into the studio to record Word Up.
The success of that album led to a short stint with Hall & Oates,
then back into the session world, including albums with Pat
Metheny, Ziggy Marley, Sophie B. Hawkins, Anita Baker, Joan Osborne,
and others.
Sammy is also part of Cyndi Lauper's recording and touring band.
Recent gigs have included Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden,
Girls with Guitars (Lifetime Network), and 4th of July with the
Boston Pops. Most of 2002 was spent on the road as opening act for
the Cher Farewell Tour. Summer of 2003 was with Cyndi on a
double bill with Meatloaf, followed by the recording of
Cyndi's new album At Last. Late fall included a tour through Europe
and the U.S. in support of the album, as well as numerous television
appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, GMA, The Ellen
Degeneres Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, and others. 2004
includes a new live DVD shot in NYC, as well as tours in the U.S.,
Europe, Australia and Japan. Sammy has also played on over 1000
commercials and television themes including Monday Night Football
with Hank Williams Jr., Nightline, World News Tonight,
and ABC Golf.
Currently residing in Harlem, Sammy's turn-of-the-century brownstone
is home to a state of the art recording studio. The studio consists
of Pro-tools DAW, vintage API and Neve pre-amps, EQ's, microphones,
and compressors. Drums are always set up and mic'd - ready to go!
Artists and producers can bring their hard drives and record
straight to disc. A large collection of vintage drums - combined
with modern electronics - allow for maximum flexibility and
creativity.
Sammy currently endorses Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth
Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Clark Synthesis Shakers, Audio-Technica
Microphones, and Jinglemutes.
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