Sam Lewis-Bambery

Guitarist - Arranger - Composer - Tutor

Sam’s journey of focused music study began in his formative years at high school in Methven under the wing of well known classical teacher and cellist, Hugo Zanker. Under Hugo’s tuition, Sam was directed towards a of love of jazz, blues and American traditional music. Sam was the guitarist, arranger and bandleader of the Opukē Ensemble at Mount Hutt College, a thirteen piece jazz big band. A massive undertaking for a novice musician, the band successfully played locally and participated in the 2016 Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival held in Blenheim. Sam also received a nationally recognised award in soundtrack design from Stage Challenge 2016, under his leadership.

Sam joined the Hagley School of Music in Christchurch in 2017, at the time under the leadership of Nanako Sato, well known local pianist, performer and arranger. It was here that Sam strongly developed his guitar skills. His love of jazz and blues amplified. In 2018, Sam successfully fronted a blues band named Bambery and The Lucky Strikes, a four piece blues cover band. The band performed multiple times live, and was a successful foray into Sam’s ability to lead, arrange and organise an independent band.

This extended further to his work in the Snap! Quartet in 2018, a jazz quartet featuring fellow Ara students. They have successfully played live, and developed a cohesive repertoire to play.  Sam occasionally plays solo sets of folk blues as a unique tribute to his blues heroes: Big Bill Broonzy, Bob Dylan and Muddy Waters.

Sam begun his tenure at Ara Music Arts in February of 2019. He is strongly developing his skills as a guitarist, arranger and bandleader. He intends on becoming the best he can be at his craft. He looks to becoming a full time teacher and performer after he finishes his degree, with strong intentions to pursue post-graduate study.