Sam "Bluzman" Taylor

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Sam "Bluzman" Taylor is an American blues musician. Born in Mobile, AL on 10/25/34, Sam cut his teeth early in music, beginning singing gospel at age 3.

His Long Island connection began in 1957, during his service in the Air Force. He was stationed at the Westhampton Beach Air Force Base and was only a short haul from the blues mecca of the east end, Flanders, where the Blue Bird Inn was infamous. A warm nest and a dangerous environment, the Blue Bird let nascent guitarist Sam "Bluzman" Taylor learn the ropes. During much the same time, Sam was a championship boxer, so he learned other ropes, too.

After leaving the service in 1959, Sam lived in Riverhead. His first major pro gig was as Maxine Brown's band leader at the Apollo Theater and he never looked back.The author of hundreds of songs, many of them hits and some even gold records like "Do It 'Til You're Satisfied", performed by the BT Express, Sam's handiwork can be heard rendered by Freddie King, Son Seals, Jimmy Witherspoon, Jay and the Americans, Joey Dee, Maxine Brown (soul singer) and Joe Tex. Sam also was bandleader/guitarist for the likes of Big Joe Turner, The Isley Brothers, Tracy Nelson (singer), Otis Redding and Sam and Dave as well as being a noted vocalist with Joey Dee and the Starliters, The Drifters and The Rascals.

Through the '70s, Taylor spent his days writing. producing, arranging and teaching but unscrupulous business practices and the changes wrought by the disco era pushed Sam out of the business and off Long Island. He moved to California, where drugs and medical problems were the challenge and then to Tucson, where a supportive blues community helped his body and spirit heal. In the mid-'90s Taylor realized it was time to get back to his roots -- his family and Long Island.

Now a resident of Bay Shore, Sam "Bluzman" Taylor is widely recognized as the blues' elder statesman there. Since returning, Sam has released five CDs including Blue Tears, Voice of the Blues and his latest, a live recording from his 2004 Riverhead Blues Fest set, Bluzman Back Home. He currently hosts WUSB (FM)'s "Blues With A Feeling" radio show.

Sam "Bluzman" Taylor was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.