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"…Sam Hooper Group, a Boston based blues band that raises the sonic standard in the city." – Alex Kauffmann, Shanghai Daily "Sam Hooper's developed his own breed of blues, blending the signatures of driving soul and funk with tight, focused chops-intensive musicianship." - Ted Drozdowski, The Boston Phoenix Sam Hooper is a dynamic musician on the Boston music scene who has thrilled audiences in the People’s Republic of China, Switzerland, and Japan.  Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Hooper is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music and The University of Miami School of Music.  His songs have been published by New York’s Heavy Hitters Music and The University of Miami’s Category 5 Publishing.  As an artist, he stirs up an alluring blend of blues/rock, pop and funk.  His soulful vocals have been compared to Otis Redding and Robert Cray, while critics have likened his blistering guitar playing to Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana. Comfortable in a solo/acoustic setting or grabbing his electric guitar to lead a band, Hooper has showcased at Boston’s NEMO, Nashville’s 2NMC, and Philadelphia’s PMC music conferences, and The New England Songwriters Festival.  For four years, he’s been a featured performer at The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Florida.  College performances have included Bowdoin College in Maine, Fisher College in Boston, the Beijing Midi School in Beijing, China, (where the band also gave performance workshops) and playing live, on-air and on the web at Emerson College’s radio station WERS 88.9FM in Boston. In 2006, Sam Hooper Group completed a triumphant five-month return engagement at Shanghai’s esteemed House of Blues & Jazz.  That venue had been the primary stop on the band’s exciting four-month tour of China and Japan in 2004.  The highlight of the 2004 trip was the recording and release of their newest EP, East.  With Jordan Scannella on bass and Akira Nakamura on drums, it documents the trio’s transformation after playing six nights a week for three months at the House of Blues & Jazz.  The Group consistently drew the largest crowds the club had ever seen, and the fans showed their enthusiasm by jamming the dance floor, singing along, and buying CDs!  A re-mastered version of East was released in Boston in 2005.  Hooper has previously released two critically acclaimed CDs in the USA, the infectious All Caught Up, and the collaboration Rich Glenn & Sam Hooper.  The funky blues of “I Won’t Be Your Fool,” and the hopeful ballad, “Help Me Out of the Dark,” from All Caught Up, have been heard by millions of viewers on the hot daytime TV dramas All My Children and The Young & The Restless.   In 2004, “Leaving Me Too,” his melancholy account of the pain of loss, was selected for the compilation CD, Boston’s Best Singer/Songwriter Showcase. Performing as a finalist in the 2002 18th Annual Boston Battle of the Blues Bands led to a highly–coveted Local Artist Spotlight feature on the popular Boston radio program Blues on Sunday with Holly Harris on WBOS 92.9FM.  More recently, Sam Hooper Group has opened packed shows for two blues guitar legends: Ronnie Earl and (former Muddy Waters sideman) Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson. In 2007 Hooper showcased at New York’s Soul of the Blues Festival, Alabama’s W. C. Handy Music Festival and received an Emerging Artist Endorsement from First Act Guitars. Also, a documentary of Hooper’s musical journey appeared on Medford, MA Cable TV and is now seen on youtube.com. Sam Hooper Group is winning over new fans worldwide!  Visit samhooper.com for more information. Discography All Caught Up, Rich Glenn & Sam Hooper, East Airplay: WBOS, 92.9 FM - Blues on Sunday with Holly Harris WERS, 88.9 FM, Boston (Emerson College) -Bluesology                           WMFO, 91.5 FM, Medford, MA (Tufts University) -  Folk & Good Music Show WGBH, 89.7 FM, Boston Blues After Hours KSCU, 103.3 FM, Santa Clara, CA (Santa Clara U.)