After picking up a bass at 13, Sam Williams cut his teeth playing pubs and clubs up and down the South Wales Valleys. Sam, hailing from the mining town of Merthyr Tydfil, recalls “We played to two men and their dog. Sometimes we’d be lucky if there was a dog!”

As the gigs improved, so did Sam’s reputation as a bass player. This led to him being a first-call session player in South Wales, working with writers and producers such as Martin Levan (John Martyn, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Iron Maiden), Charlie Francis (REM, The Noisettes) and Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran).

As well as playing for others, Sam also organised gigs with his own projects. His first band, The Moon Birds, enjoyed local success, winning The Big Gig and Best Live Band at the Cardiff Music Awards.

Good news spreads fast, and this led to a call from YouTube and Guitar Phenom, Chris Buck. Chris was looking for a bass player to complete the lineup for his new band, Cardinal Black. Since joining the ranks, Sam has become an integral member of Cardinal Black.

Cardinal Black rose to prominence with their 2021 debut single, ‘Tell Me How It Feels,’ which reached #1 in the iTunes Charts - beating Noel Gallagher and Texas to the top spot. A whirlwind of touring and supporting music royalty such as Peter Frampton, Myles Kennedy and The Struts has given Sam a wealth of touring experience in such venues as The Royal Albert Hall, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Chepstow Castle. The band’s debut album, January Came Close, was released to critical acclaim in October 2022 with an equally well received UK and EU tour.

Upon the rise of Cardinal Black, Sam left his school teaching career behind to focus his efforts as a professional musician. However, the lure of teaching soon pulled Sam back in, though now he focuses his efforts on helping bassists improve their playing through his coaching and tuition business, Sam Williams Bass. Old habits and all that…