Artists Space

Sam Waymon in Concert

Concert
June 8, 2021, 8pm

Sam Waymon in Concert. Concert Documentation. Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 8pm. Artists Space, New York. [[Video documentation of multiple individuals speaking and playing music.]]

A black-and-white photograph of a figure sitting in front of a microphone. The left side of their face and body is in shadow.
Production still from Black Picture Show, 1978, picturing Sam Waymon. Photo: Marshall Johnson. Image courtesy of the artist. [A black-and-white photograph of a figure sitting in front of a microphone. The left side of their face and body is in shadow.]

Artists Space presents a special evening with Gunn’s long-time collaborator, actor, and musician Sam Waymon, who will play music he composed for the film soundtrack of Bill Gunn's Ganja and Hess (1973), and the original theatrical production of Black Picture Show (1975).

Jazz/Blues recording artist, Sam Waymon, is the brother of and former musical director for Eunice Waymon, the given name of the legendary Nina Simone. Sam toured and recorded with Nina for over 10 years, performing with her all over the world. Sam finally broke away to develop a style of his own that combines gospel, R&B, blues and jazz. He went on to record for record labels like RCA, Polygram, and his own label Resolution records. Sam has worked side by side with legendary artists such as Miles Davis, Donnie Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Phyllis Hyman, The 5th dimension, and Main Ingredient.

Sam Waymon appeared in and composed the score for Ganja & Hess (1973) and later performed in Bill Gunn's film Personal Problems (1980). Sam also appeared in and contributed music to Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia (1993).

Program support for Artists Space is provided by The Friends of Artists Space, Lambent Foundation Fund of Tides Foundation, The Cowles Charitable Trust, The Cy Twombly Foundation, The David Teiger Foundation, The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The New York Community Trust, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Willem de Kooning Foundation, The Danielson Foundation, The Fox Aarons Foundation, Herman Goldman Foundation, The Destina Foundation, The Luce Foundation, May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, VIA Art Fund, Arison Arts Foundation, The Chicago Community Fund, The David Rockefeller Fund, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, The Jill and Peter Kraus Foundation, The Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation.