Instrument : Tenor Sax / Midi Sax

                                Label : Canaan Lake Records Inc.

Gear: Selmer series III Tenor Saxophone , Action 80, Dave Guardala mouthpiece  (super-king ), Plasticover # 2 reeds, Yamaha W7 midi wind controller, Roland 2020 sound module, Mfc-1010 foot controller.

 Discography : SammySax Y La Fantastica Orchestra ( All Ears ), SammySax Y La Fantastica ( Space 2001 ), Earl Lewis & the Channels,( Especially for you ),The Dubs ( Bringing back the Magic ), The Limelites ( the Limelites ), The Eternals ( Today ), SammySax & the Latin Jazz Express ( the Express ), N. Leslie Anderson’s ( Mixed bag ), the Sheps, The Del Vikings, the Valentinos, Jerry Jermmot ( Bass technique's + Tribute to King Curtis), Cheryl Saks, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, S.N.L. Live.

Has Played for  : Vito Picone’s Elegant, Cleveland Still’s “Dubs” featuring “Leslie Nathaniel Anderson”,  Richard Blandon’s “Dubs “, SNL band, The Channels, Del Vikings, the Cadillac's, The Chimes, , The Teenagers, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, La Fantastica, the Limelites, the Harptones, the Heartbeats, the Jesters, The Marvellettes, The Chiffons, Martha & the Vandellas, Gene Chandler, The Emotions, the Chantels, the Bobbettes, Jaco Pastorius, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, the Broadway show “ Man of La Mancha “, the Fantastics, Don & Juan, the Eternals, the Teenchords, Legends of Doo-Wop, Mongo Santa Maria.

    Born & raised In New York City, In the lower East side of  Manhattan, & a second generation Saxophone player ( father: Julius Raul Velez Leon - Band Leader of Barnum & Bailey Circus ). Sam started playing Saxophone at the age 8, & was influenced by his father mastery of the saxophone / Clarinet & wanted to continued the legacy.

      He attended H.S. of Art & Design then the Julliard School of Music. Sam formed his own Salsa-Band at the age 18 & was soon signed to a Label, His first single went # 1 for 14 weeks on the Salsa radio stations, & was followed by Two more hit-songs from the following Album ( all Ears ).   His third Album ( 2001 space Odyssey ) was also well received  with great reviews. His contributing Musical influences are Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Parker,  Jr. walker, King Curtis, Mile Davis, Illinois Jacquet,  the Machito Orchestra, Quincy Jones.

His Passion for orchestrating & arranging are second, only to playing the Sax, ( when he is not scoring for motion pictures or C. D’s. ) Today he is active at Canaan Lake Records as arranger & musical Director / Producer for all releases, & is conductor at many of the Oldies Rock-n-Roll shows in the New York Tri-state area. Sam has been seen on PBS –TV, SNL all across the nation, & at most known venues. He makes his home in Pennsylvania with his Wife.

His newly formed band “SammySax & the M. D’s”, is a gathering of the best “ Musical Directors” / “ Musicians” ( ergo the name: M. D’s ) in the oldies Rock-n-Roll Genre. His mission is to put the best, of the best, in the same room, to play music. He is in collaboration with Producer Norman Wasserman ( “Friend Entertainment “ - Known for producing the best Rock-n-roll shows in the industry ) as musical director.                                             

      BANDBIO