The Sammy Price Trio

b. 6 October 1908, Honey Grove, Texas, USA, d. 14 April 1992, New York City, New York, USA. After studying alto horn and piano at schools in Texas, Price won a dancing contest. Arising from this he was invited to tour with the Alphonso Trent band. Back in Texas he accompanied singers on record dates, playing occasional club gigs. He also formed a band of his own, then toured with a succession of popular entertainers. By 1930 he was becoming known in and around Kansas City, but by 1937 was resident in New York where he became house pianist for Decca Records, playing on countless record dates, mostly with singers. The 40s saw him working as a solo act, leading his own small band, the Bluesicians, and working with Sidney Bechet. Price also found time for a brief European tour in 1948. During the 50s he divided his time between Texas and New York, playing clubs and recording with artists such as Henry ‘Red’ Allen. In the 60s he was active in New York and once again toured Europe, a pattern of work that continued through the following decade and into the 80s, sometimes in company with other veterans such as Doc Cheatham. Price was an effective singer and his blues piano playing was of a very high standard.