Sam Kininger has developed a distinctive, organic sound on the saxophone that is strongly expressive. He consistently demonstrates his technical dexterity and rhythmic precision while maintaining his honest and innovative exploration of musical improvisation.

The music that Sam performs can best be described as heavy, rhythmic and pure.

As a product of the information era, Sam has absorbed musical influences transcending time and edge. His most elemental roots are “funk” (Parliament, James Brown, The Meters, Prince, The Gap Band and Earth Wind & Fire), “hip-hop” (Slum Village, Jurassic 5, Tribe Called Quest, Black Star, The Roots, De La Soul, DJ Quik, DJ Spinna and DJ Premier), “Jazz” (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Donald Byrd and Gary Bartz), “rock” (Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, The Allman Brothers, The Beatles and Pink Floyd) and he is continually intrigued by all of the sounds created worldwide.

As a Saxophonist, Maceo Parker, Kenny Garrett, Branford Marsalis, Grover Washington Jr., Eddie Harris, Bennie Maupin, John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley have been the most influential for Sam.

Sam Kininger will release an album in September 2003.

Sam Kininger’s new original funk band has performed at many festivals including The New Orleans Jazz Festival, The North Beach Jazz Festival and Berkfest. They have also had successful shows in clubs such as The Mercury Lounge (NYC), The Elbo Room (CA), The Howlin’ Wolf (LA) and many others.

1999 – present Soulive

Sam has been a member of the Blue Note recording group Soulive. They have toured the world successfully and have achieved outstanding record sales.
During the summer of 1999, Soulive cut their first LP, "Turn it Out," for Velour. It featured guests John Scofield and Oteil Burbridge.
In the fall of 2000, Soulive signed with Blue Note Records. In 2001, Soulive released Doin' Something. It featured legendary performer and arranger Fred Wesley on trombone.
In February 2001, Soulive toured Japan. The band had been featured on NHK, the country's biggest television station. This contributed to a run of 14 sold-out shows and staggering record sales.
During the summer of 2001, Soulive went on a month long European tour that included stops in France, England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The band also did a run of stadium shows opening for the Dave Matthews Band. Dave took to introducing the band and calling them out to sit in.
Soulive cut their latest album entitled NEXT in the fall of 2001. Soulive incorporated their love for hip-hop and R&B in creating the sounds for NEXT. They collaborated with Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Amel Larrieux and Dave Matthews. On March 12, 2002 NEXT was released by Blue Note Records.

1992 – present Lettuce

With their new Velour Recordings release, Outta Here, Lettuce combines the grittiness of the Meters with the harmonic textures of Herbie Hancock. It's a simple outgrowth of a bunch of great young musicians who grew up together. The members are Eric Krasno and Sam Kininger who front the popular Soulive, Adam Deitch who is the drummer for guitar legend John Scofield, Adam Smirnoff who’s the guitarist for the Squad and runs a studio in Brooklyn, Erick Coomes plays bass and has pursued a successful producing career in L.A., Jeff Bhasker is the keyboardist for soultronica sensation Kudu, and Ryan Zoidis who is the saxophonist and founding member of the Rustic Overtones. On the new record, Lettuce is joined by some of their heroes. Guitar great John Scofield, Trombone legend Fred Wesley, Neal Evans on organ, and Tonni Smith (of Jamaica Funk fame) singing soulfully.

1999-present The Squad

This exceptional band creates gut-bucket, attack-from-the-back, grunge Funk. They have performed across the northeast leaving audiences amazed and exhausted from dancing excessively. Their New York showcases have been unforgettable.

1996 – present The Formula

The Formula can be described as a universally influenced raw, live hip-hop group. Hip-hop has become an integral rhythmic influence for Sam and has introduced him to the methodologies of new, innovative phrasing. The Formula has opened for some of hip-hop’s top recording artists such as LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes.

1993 – 1996 Fatbag

The original music of the band consisted essentially of funk, hip-hop and jazz influences. Fatbag opened for Parliament, Maceo Parker and The Meters. After getting signed to Interscope Records, Fatbag recorded an album at GreenStreetStudios in New York.

1992 – present Kendrick Oliver and The New Life Orchestra

Performing Count Basie style swing, The Kendrick Oliver “Big Band” has performed at, among other venues, the Blue Note, Scullers and the Regatta Bar. Three memorable special guest artists that have performed with the band have been Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride and Kevin Mahogany.

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