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Sammy Figueroa: The Pulse of Jazz

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Sammy Figueroa: The Pulse of Jazz

Introduction to Sammy Figueroa. 0:57 sec. Interview: Raymond Elman.  Post-Production: Lee Skye. Music: Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion  Recorded via ZOOM  02/03/2026. Miami.

 

SAMMY FIGUEROA is one of the music industry’s leading percussionists. He has played on countless records and is well-known for his versatility in a multitude of musical styles. Besides playing with some of the world’s greatest pop stars, such as David Bowie, Chaka Khan and Mariah Carey, Figueroa has also played with a multitude of distinguished jazz artists including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Brecker Brothers, and many, many more.

Sammy Figueroa was born in the Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, the son of romantic singer Charlie Figueroa.  Early in his career he was a member of Raices, the seminal Afro-Brazilian-Jazz group, which brought him to New York where he was discovered by Herbie Mann and began his career as one of the world’s most sought-after percussionists.   In 2001, Figueroa relocated to South Florida where he discovered a thriving community of amazing Latin jazz virtuosos from Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, and was inspired to find his voice as a solo artist. Putting a band together with the best players in town, Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion debuted at the Hollywood Jazz Festival.

All of Figueroa’s albums have been produced or co-produced by his long-time partner, the award-winning world music producer, singer, songwriter Rachel Faro.   See our ArtSpeak video conversation with Faro.

Figueroa is also a popular radio host.  “Social Music with Sammy Figueroa” which airs on Miami’s WDNA-FM every Sunday evening from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern time is one of the station’s most popular shows.

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 8 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   2:48 min.

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   0:55 sec.

You speak English without any trace of an accent. How did that happen?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   1:15 min.

When did you get exposed to rock & roll?

 

CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY:   0:39 sec.

What other types of rock & roll did you like?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    4:44 min.

When did you first start trying to make music?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:   2:13 min.

How did you get started in the music industry?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    1:47 min.

You never really knew your biological father. What inspired you to make an album of his music?

 

SERENDIPITY:    2:46 min.

Who are some of the musicians on your album “Searching for a Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo)”?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:    1:07 min.

It sounds like the musicians you chose are very fluid — they are not exclusively locked into playing with their own bands.

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    2:06 min

Van Dyke’s, the perfect jazz club on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, opened in 1994 and closed in 2014. What were your experiences there?

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:    2:20 min. 

What were your feelings when Van Dyke’s closed?

 

COLLABORATION:    4:32 min.

Tell us about working with your wife, singer, songwriter, producer Rachel Faro.

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    1:38 min.

What challenges do you see moving forward?

 

SERENDIPITY:    6:43 min.

Tell us about your radio program.

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    5:27 min.

What’s your favorite movie?