Sammy Penn

Sammy Penn 1902-1969
Sammy Penn was an expressive performer who added unique twists to his shows, such as holding up a snare drum as a voice resonator while singing. Sammy was from Morgan City and started in music playing with Jake Johnson’s band and country brass bands as a snare drummer. When bands from New Orleans came to town, they would let Sammy sit in to play. He then moved to New Orleans in 1924 to play with the Jules Barnes Band. From 1926-1931, he played with Buddy Petit’s band and they went on tours through Texas. Sammy also played with Chris Kelly, Mutt Carey, and Kid Rena’s dance bands, as well as Punch Miller and the Eureka Brass Band. In the mid 1950s, Sammy organized his own band, Penn and his Five Pennies. They went to Chicago and played with Mike Delay and Albert French.

Sammy was a part of the Algiers Stompers formed at Preservation Hall. Riverside Records album “Kid Thomas and his Algiers Stompers” included great recordings of Sammy’s performance.