SAMMY J with STAY GROUNDED and Da Kauai Boy
( Doors: 8:00 pm ) SHOW: 9:00 pm PST
Sammy J with Stay Grounded and Da Kauia Boy, DJKD.
Doors: 8:00pm // Show: 9:00pm // Ages 21+
Somewhere between the charisma of Frank Sinatra, the empathetic tone of Bob Marley, and the smooth and sultry vocal runs of Lauryn Hill, lives the warm and kind voice of Sammy Johnson. An Australian native, Sammy Johnson embraces his Maori and Polynesian roots to create positive and uplifting music. Blending together island reggae, soul and jazz vibes with heartfelt lyrics, Sammy's sound is exhilarating and intoxicating.
Sammy Johnson has been waving the flag for the Pacific Island sound, and has quickly become a leader of the scene alongside new school artists like J Boog and veterans like Katchafire. Sammy Johnson got his big break via Youtube after his video for "Don't Say Goodbye" became a viral sensation, racking up over 10,000,000 plays. Not too long after, a Hawaiian-based producer contacted Sammy and offered him a record deal with Island Empire Records, home to groups like Common Kings, Tenelle, and Fiji.
Sammy has toured extensively on his own and with genre-leading artists like The Wailers and Common Kings. He continues to hone his live show with international tours and impressive festival slots, bringing his enlightening music to a live audience of anticipatory fans and new fans alike.
Sammy J currently resides in Auckland. His mother is Australian and his father is Maori hailing form Ngati Raukawa, Waikato. Born and bred in Aussie he describes himself as a 'Mozzie' but proud and confident in his identity and embraces his maori and Polynesian heritage and roots which influenced his perspective on life.