Sam Lemann
Sam’s interested in the Ukulele and Hawaiian music began way back in Perth the early
80’s. He spent many years playing with Steel Guitar ace Lucky Oceans and together the
formed their first Hawaiian band, many years before the current Ukulele revival.
He has since developed a sweet jazzy island sound, a result his annual visits to Hawaii
since 2008. Sam has studied with islands greats including Byron Yasui, Benny Chong,
Kimo Hussey, Herb Ohta Jnr and slack key guitar masters Cyril Pahinui, George Kuo
and Jeff Peterson. You will also find him sitting in with many local Waikiki bands – the
best way to learn!
A regular at many ukulele festivals, Sam and sister Lucy have fond memories of Ukulele
great James Hill joining them for their set at the 2014 Newcastle Ukulele Festival. Sam
has also performed and conducted workshops at the NZ Ukulele festival, Melbourne
Ukulele Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival, Fairbridge Folk Festival, concerts in
Fremantle with Hawaii’s Kimo Hussey and has been a regular tutor at the Albany
Ukulele Retreat for the last 3 years.
Sam is well known for his guitar work with Grace Knight, Stephen Cummings and Joe
Camilleri and many others but is often featured on Ukulele with singers including Emma
Hamilton and Hetty Kate. The ABC release “The Ukulele” also features Sam on 8 tracks.