Samuel Waymon

Dr. Waymon was Musical Director and Composer for three major musicals that went to Off-Broadway, Broadway and Lincoln Center with the late Joe Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival, notably, Black Picture Show and Forbidden City. Sam received a “double platinum” record award from Sony/Tri-Star Pictures for sales over five million copies for his composition “It’s In Your Eyes” for the movie soundtrack to Philadelphia. As singer and pianist/composer, he recorded five original albums and can be heard on more than twenty others. He was proud to be Eunice Waymon’s (aka Nina Simone) manager and confidante for over 10 years. He and Miss Simone were invited to perform before the President of France, François Mitterrand, as well as a special envoy to perform at a birthday party for the son of King Mohammed V of Morocco. Sam also sang at Martin Luther King’s funeral in Atlanta, GA. He is currently writing his memoirs reflecting on his musical experiences and friendships over the years with such artists as Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, James Baldwin, Phyllis Hyman (a close friend) and his very best friends, the late Max Roach and Donny Hathaway, just to name a few.