As a child I showed more than a keen interest in music, playing firstly the drums (age 7) then the clarinet and piano (age 8). I also had a very keen interest in my parents record collection, firstly covering the lot in peanut butter (age 3) and later enjoying ABBA and Anne Murray in a more traditional method! Following early childhood tuition from the Yamaha Music School (piano/organ/ear-training/ singing) I was lucky to find Messrs Alfred Newton and Miles Tremlett as resident teachers of (piano and saxophone) at Otumoetai College. Both men were jazz doys of the highest calibre, and I owe them both a debt of gratitude for the musical grounding and inspiration they provided me.

I have been involved with Carl Webley and Steve Carlin in various incarnations of (wandering minstrels) since the mid 90s. What started as a holiday training camp (early Uncle Monkey days in Eichardts tavern, Queenstown - Summer 96) has become a fully- fledged gigging machine, racking up hundreds of gigs each year to crowds predominantly in the Wellington region.

I hope one day to grow an extra set of arms protruding from my stomach (hurry up all you genetic engineers!) so that I can play piano at the same time. Until that day, I will endeavour to keep my hair short, idolise "Flea" from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, fall in love with lesbian songwriters and never, ever let my Pay-TV get disconnected. (Sort yr Firmware crap out Sky)

Hope my life interested you, Sam

Post Script...
Remember that you don't need feathers to be a henny.