SongVault Artist Profile

Through his vintage rock & roll guitar solos and his soulful vocals, Sam Sasso, a 24-year-old musician from Orange County California, lends truth and passion to his music. On his new album, one can hear the honesty that Sasso expresses through his songs, which include timeless themes and ironic subject matter such as love, death, strife, desire, and determination.

Being the product of two contemporary artists, both with a love for classic music of the 60’s, Sam grew up listening to the crème de la crème of music. At a young age, Bob Dylan, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John would become influential to his future musical career.

After watching Michael J. Fox play "Johnny B. Goode" in "Back to the Future," he was inspired to play the guitar. At the age of 14, Sam was fortunate enough to study under a professional musician and educator for 5 years until 2004. At age 16, he gave his first performance in Yorba Linda and as he put it, “after it was done, all I wanted to do was do it again.” Delving into writing his own music Sam wrote his first song "Lesbian Blues" in 2000 and began developing a slick writing style with a goal of bringing poetry to the blues.

Forming his first band Kettleblack, Sasso started playing live in 2002 and landed regular gigs at the Blue Café in Long Beach. Playing shows all over Orange County and the surrounding areas including the famous Coach House, Sam has opened for War, Anthony Gomes, Wild Child, and Dickey Betts. His first album, Mixed Signals, was recorded in Long Beach in 2003. He has been recording and producing his own music ever since with the help of his co-writer and long-time friend Joe Peterson.

Sasso has found his own musical niche in his upcoming album, Black Cat’s Blood, featuring songs such as "Latter Daze," "She's My Girl," and "Black Cat's Blood." As a solo artist, Sam Sasso successfully enters new territory full of wry puns, rock ballads, enchanting love songs, and somber lyrics mixed with upbeat melodies all infused with his rich blues background.