More results...

Filter by Categories
Photo Galleries
Audio Interviews
The Frontera Collection
Close
Menu
banner header chris strachwitz collection

Herbert Sam Interview

Herbert Sam was born near Opelousas, LA., in 1924 into a musical Creole family. His father played accordion and so did his mother and two brothers, including Ambrose Sam who in the 1950s went to Los Angeles, Ca, and played for the Creole community in that area. Herbert Sam, however, went to Houston, played there for many years, and happened to be at the Zydeco contest on McGowan street just off Dowling when I recorded the proceedings that day with Mack McCormick as my guide. Since then Herbert Sam has become the proud father of the Sam Brothers Five who are carrying on the tradition and are one of the leading Zydeco bands in Acadiana today. — Chris Strachwitz from the notes to Zydeco – Volume 1: The Early Years 1949-1962 (Arhoolie CD 307)

photo of Herbert Sam
00:00
00:00
  • Herbert Sam Interview 00:00
Interviewee: Herbert Sam
Interviewer: Chris Strachwitz
Date: 1979
Location: Laffayette, LA
Language: English

This is an interview originally recorded for research purposes. It is presented here in its raw state, unedited except to remove some irrelevant sections and blank spaces. All rights to the interview are reserved by the Arhoolie Foundation. Please do not use anything from this website without permission. info@arhoolie.org

Herbert Sam
Sam Brothers 5 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Sam Brothers 5
Calvin Sam
Leon Sam
Glen & Carl Sam

Dear friends,

On Giving Tuesday, we announced the capital campaign to purchase our building at 10341 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito — home to the Arhoolie Foundation (and before that Arhoolie Records), Les Blank Films, and Down Home Music Store since 1976. We’ve been heartened by the community’s response to our fundraising announcement. To all who have donated so far: thank you. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now, while there is a contract in place to buy the building in partnership with Les Blank Films, we need to raise $1.2 million — our half of the purchase price — by April 15. Donations to the campaign can be made via the link below, by check, or by bank transfer. (To make a bank transfer, please email us at info@arhoolie.org).

In the new year, we look forward to collaborating with Les Blank Films and Down Home Music to bring more public programming to our community. We plan to revive Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz’s tradition of in-store film screenings and will host more informal, free performances and gatherings in the store as part of our outreach work. We believe this collaboration will result in a vibrant community gathering place dedicated to music, film, and deep roots culture.

If you’re interested in donating and would like to discuss our plans for the building, please don’t hesitate to email director Adam Machado at adam@arhoolie.org.

Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting new chapter!

Donate