Sam Ocampo was born in Peru, South America. At age 14 the family (his parents and 3 younger siblings) moved to N. California. In 1978, while a freshman at Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA, and a music student of Maestro Adolph Baller at Stanford University, Sam released his first Album Gently, which became an instant best-seller. Also in 1978, Max Mace asked Sam to become pianist for the Heritage Singers. In 1979 Sam moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan to attend Andrews University and recorded the second album Special Delivery, followed by We Are The Reason in 1981. In 1984 Sam graduated from Andrews University with a degree in Music and Chemistry. In 1986 he recorded a landmark live album, Friends in Concert, at Johnson Auditorium, Campus Andrews University with legendary musicians Hal Blaine (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee), Tommy Tedesco, Nino Ocampo, Shane Kiester, Brent Rowan and others. Concert travels include the US, Canada, Brazil, Latin America and Europe.
In 1987, Sam married and retired from music, enrolling at The University of Michigan School of Dentistry for one year, transferring to business, and graduating with an MBA in 1990.
From 1990 to the present, Sam has pursued a career in healthcare, specializing in strategic marketing and planning, physician and cardiovascular development. Work experience includes Lakeland Regional Health System (Michigan), Adventist Health (California), and Sutter Health (California).
Sam’s children are Edy (19) and Natali (15). In 2002 Sam married Gwen Matthews. Gwen has been a pivotal force in bringing Sam back to music. They live in Glendale, California.
Sam’s musical influences include: 1. Composers Mozart, Chopin, Scriabin, Berlin, Rodgers, Porter, Young, Lara, Jobim. 2. Stylists Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, Iglesias, Libertad Lamarque, and Gardel. 3. Inspirational icons Beverly Shea, Reba Rambo, Mahalia Jackson and Ethel Waters. 4. Classical icons Horowitz, Pavarotti, and Arthur Rubinstein.
Sam has had the honor to work (play) with some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Ronn Huff, Lee Holdridge, Tom Scott, Joe Soldo, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, Pete Jolly, Michael Omartian, Abraham Laboriel, Paul Leim, David Hungate, Kenny Malone, Ron Hicklin, Sally Stevenson, Ramón Stagnaro, Al Schmitt, Steve Genewick, Dick Bogert, Sergio Gonzalez, Steve Schaffer, Allen Sovory, Wintley Phipps, Scott Reed, Nino Ocampo, and many others.
Other interests include mathematics, natural and physical sciences, computers, and running.
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