Samuel’s passion for the jazz piano tradition and love of standards combine with an unmistakeably contemporary sensibility to produce an attractive, varied and individual sound. Two of his originals are included on the soundtrack to the 2007 Angelina Jolie film A Mighty Heart; the same freshness evident in his compositions can be heard in his interpretation of standards and lesser-known rarities. His most recent album Everything I Love, a trio record with bassist Tom Farmer and drummer John Blease, was released in 2015. You can see a sample of Samuel’s playing here, recorded with opera singer Rinat Shaham while they were rehearsing Carmen in Cologne in 2009.

Samuel started playing jazz at the age of 13, when he began studying with the late Fergus Read. At the age of 15 he participated in a masterclass at the Wigmore Hall with Julian Joseph and began working regularly as a performing musician on the jazz function circuit, playing solo and in a wide variety of ensembles at parties, weddings, balls and other events. In 2002 he attended a summer course at Berklee College of Music, studying with Laszlo Gordony and Joe Mulholland. He also met and consulted with Jason Moran while in New York in 2008.

In July 2004 Samuel recorded his first CD, song for someone. Click the link to read more about it or place an order. His second jazz recording, While We’re Young, a duo album with singer Aisling Lavelle, came out in 2008.

Samuel was a finalist in the Nottingham National Jazz Piano Competition 2008 and later performed at the Royal Concert Hall in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, giving a recital of jazz improvisations based on their programme. He has also performed at the Pizza Express Jazz Club and the Vortex Jazz Club as well as Smalls Jazz Club in New York, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Palace.