Les Sampou

Les Sampou
Background information
Born (1961-11-04) November 4, 1961 (age 63)
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
GenresFolk, blues, rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer, composer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1993–present
LabelsRounder Records, Indie
Websitewww.lessampoumusic.com

Les Sampou (born November 4, 1961)[1][2] is an American singer-songwriter and recording artist. She was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States. Sampou has toured nationally since the 1990s, performing at stages such as Montreal Jazz Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and the Toronto Blues Festival. She has recorded six albums for Rounder Records and as an indie artist. Sampou is known for her "diverse song styles, smart lyrics, and hook-laden melodies." (The Boston Globe)[citation needed]

Sampou's Borrowed & Blue album recorded in 2001, is a collection of country blues classics recorded live by songwriter JP Jones, featuring Sampou on guitar and vocals. It received critical acclaim from critics like Roberta Schwartz of Peterborough Folk Music Society, who highlighted how the album showcased blues can be reached to a younger audience.[3]

In 2010, Sampou released an Americana-themed recording called Lonesomeville,[4] charting at number two in the radio FAR Charts, accompanied by a series of concert shows in traditional folk venues, such as Passim, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and additional Boston area venues in cooperation with local musicians Taylor Amerding, Mark Cunningham, Andy Plaisted, Kevin Barry, Mike Dinallo and Jimmy Ryan.

In 2015, Sampou wrote for television and film projects, and toured in New England. She released her sixth album, Live at Church, a dedication album to the national coffeehouse circuit of volunteers and promoters who present on church stages.

Discography

  • Sweet Perfume (1993)
  • Fall From Grace (1996)
  • Les Sampou (1999)
  • Borrowed & Blue (2001)
  • Lonesomeville (2010)
  • Live at Church (2015)
  • Best Day Of The Year (2024)

References

  1. ^ "Les Sampou Lyrics". Lyrics.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ^ "November 2015 – Page 3". Whathappenedinhistorytoday.wordpress.com. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Schwartz, Roberta. "FAME Review: Les Sampou - Borrowed and Blue". www.acousticmusic.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Alarik, Scott (June 4, 2010). "A wide spectrum of folk". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 11, 2020.