Composer & Trombonist
2026 & 2025 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll Rising Star Jazz Trombonist
“Composer, Sam Blakeslee, is a name to keep in mind as an upcoming creative, contemporary, and, more importantly, engaging composer, no matter the musical setting.”
- Rufus Reid, Legendary Jazz Bassist
SAM BLAKESLEE LARGE GROUP
NEW BLOOD
Out September 25th on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records
New Blood Awarded A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ RevieW from Downbeat Magazine
“Please welcome a new member to the top echelon of big band jazz composers: Sam Blakeslee. On his Large Group's debut album, New Blood, this Brooklyn trombonist showcases memorable melodies, intricate counterpoint, an extensive rhythmic palette, gorgeously scored reed-and-brass mixtures and dramatic thematic development.”
- Paul De Barros, DownBeat Magazine
“What Sam has created here is an artistic statement of real depth and honesty. In today’s culture that is increasingly searching for ways to produce results using minimal effort and rewards surface-level achievements through one-click “likes”, Sam stands out as an artist paving his own way around these trends. He has chosen a longer path that has earned, and will continue to earn, him an enduring mastery of his craft. This album rewards the listener with his stunning progress, and more is certainly on the way.”
- Alan Ferber, GRAMMY-Nominated Trombonist, Composer, and Producer of Sam Blakeslee Large Group - New Blood
