On a junket to Vegas in the early 80's my wife and I learned Sammy was playing in the lounge at the New Orleans Casino. That night we made it a point to be there. It was almost a private concert as there were posibbly 10 people in the joint.
The old man could swing like nobodys business. Face it, he was "there". At the end he and the band did the New Orleans Saints go marching in walk around and I got a picture of a beaming Mr Butera at our table. What a PRO! Highlight of my music career.
@johnnypomp I met/watched him play countless times. He was a really nice man & always treated me kindly. My step-dad played lead sax in the band from 81 to 83. As an 11yo kid, I spent my summers (& spring break) on the road w/the band, mostly in Atlantic City NJ. Those 3 years were the most memorable/fun of my entire life. I'd often go w/my dad & watch the show. When Sam would see me back stage, he'd say "(Aeyyy (like The Fonz) There's the little guy!" hehe. God I miss those times so bad!
He was a very nice man. I met/watched him play, countless times. Since you seem to have an interest in Sam, I left a comment on your channel. You might find it interesting.
I was lucky enough to hang out with him at Mohegan Sun to preview the Louis Prima documentary a few years back, He was a beautiful cat and I'll miss him. He was an original!!
On a junket to Vegas in the early 80's my wife and I learned Sammy was playing in the lounge at the New Orleans Casino. That night we made it a point to be there. It was almost a private concert as there were posibbly 10 people in the joint.
The old man could swing like nobodys business. Face it, he was "there". At the end he and the band did the New Orleans Saints go marching in walk around and I got a picture of a beaming Mr Butera at our table. What a PRO! Highlight of my music career.
hoz49 4 months ago
@johnnypomp I met/watched him play countless times. He was a really nice man & always treated me kindly. My step-dad played lead sax in the band from 81 to 83. As an 11yo kid, I spent my summers (& spring break) on the road w/the band, mostly in Atlantic City NJ. Those 3 years were the most memorable/fun of my entire life. I'd often go w/my dad & watch the show. When Sam would see me back stage, he'd say "(Aeyyy (like The Fonz) There's the little guy!" hehe. God I miss those times so bad!
gjc82071 7 months ago
He was a very nice man. I met/watched him play, countless times. Since you seem to have an interest in Sam, I left a comment on your channel. You might find it interesting.
gjc82071 7 months ago
Words can`t express !
jazzmanzoot 1 year ago
I wish that I had seen Sam in person,
He was great and inspiration to my
sax playing.
khso71 2 years ago
Listen to Sam breathing life into that soulful tenor right to the end. What a great cat! What a great era his day was!
pyannaguy 2 years ago
I was lucky enough to hang out with him at Mohegan Sun to preview the Louis Prima documentary a few years back, He was a beautiful cat and I'll miss him. He was an original!!
salsax 2 years ago
sic transit gloria mundi
ordascs 2 years ago
I had the pleasure of speaking with him on several occasions. A true iconic gentleman.
johnnypomp 2 years ago
R.I.P.
mortysand 2 years ago 2