Edgar Sampson facts for kids

Edgar Melvin Sampson (born October 31, 1907 – died January 16, 1973) was an amazing American jazz musician. People sometimes called him "The Lamb." He was a talented composer, who wrote music, and an arranger, who helped bands play music in a special way. He also played the saxophone and violin. Edgar Sampson is famous for writing two well-known jazz songs: "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Don't Be That Way."

A Life in Music

Edgar Sampson was born in New York City. He started playing the violin when he was only six years old! Later, in high school, he learned to play the saxophone.

Early Career

Edgar began his professional music career in 1924. He played violin and piano with a musician named Joe Colman. For the next few years, Edgar played with many different bands. These included famous groups led by Charlie "Fess" Johnson, Duke Ellington, Rex Stewart, and Fletcher Henderson.

Joining Chick Webb

In 1934, Edgar Sampson joined Chick Webb's band. This was a very important time for him. While with Webb, Edgar wrote his most famous songs. These included "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Don't Be That Way." These songs became very popular and are still played today!

Edgar left Chick Webb's band in 1936. By then, he was known as a great composer and arranger. This led to him working with many other top musicians. He helped create music for Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Red Norvo, Teddy Hill, and Teddy Wilson.

Later Years

Edgar Sampson continued to play the saxophone in the late 1940s. He even started his own band from 1949 to 1951. In the late 1940s and 1950s, he worked with Latin music stars. He arranged music for artists like Marcelino Guerra, Tito Rodríguez, and Tito Puente.

In 1956, Edgar Sampson released an album under his own name. It was called Swing Softly Sweet Sampson. Sadly, he became ill in the late 1960s and stopped working.

Edgar's daughter, Grace Sampson, also studied music. She helped write a well-known song called "Mambo Inn."

Famous Songs and Arrangements

Here are some of the songs Edgar Sampson composed or helped arrange:

• "Dark Rapture" (with Benny Goodman and Manny Kurtz)
• "If Dreams Come True" (with Benny Goodman and Irving Mills)
• "Lullaby in Rhythm" (with Benny Goodman, Clarence Profit, and Walter Hirsch)
• "Stompin' at the Savoy" (with Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, and Andy Razaf)
• "Hoopdee Whodee"
• "I'll Be Back for More" (with Candido Camero and Sammy Gallop)
• "Happy and Satisfied" (with Walter Bishop)
• "Cool and Groovy"
• "Blue Lou" (with Irving Mills)
• "The Blues Made Me Feel This Way"
• "Light and Sweet" (with Bill Hardy)
• "The Sweetness of You"
• "Don't Be That Way" (with Benny Goodman and Mitchell Parish)