Sam grew up in the small market town of Tavistock, Devon. His early musical years were spent with the local town band (Stannary Brass Band), Bodmin Town Youth Band, The City of Plymouth Wind Band and The Royal Naval Volunteer Band, Devonport. Having moved to Barnsley in the year 2000, to study under Dr Roger Webster and David Hirst, he joined Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band before accepting a position with the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band in July 2002.

Over the next seven years, Sam played with Brighouse and Rastrick Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band, mostly on Repiano Cornet and Flugelhorn before returning to CMFCB in 2009, where he continued to occupy the Repiano Cornet seat until November 2018.

He currently works as a performer (trumpet/cornet/flugelhorn), conductor/musical director, adjudicator and composer/arranger. His passion for brass banding continues to be the focus of much of his time however, more recently he is spending more of his time performing with a variety of ensembles, including show bands, soul and function bands.

Sam has also toured the UK twice in the last twelve months, performing with BBC Folk Award Winner 'Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings' at a number of the UK's most prestigious venues.

Having relinquished his position at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, in order to focus on conducting and adjudicating, Sam has recently been working as a guest conductor and band trainer with some of the countries finest bands including Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, Rothwell Temperance Band, Reg Vardy, EYMS and Thoresby Colliery Band.