Samuel David Bailey (February 22, 1926 – December 28, 2023) was an American jazz drummer.

Early life

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Bailey studied drumming in New York City at the Music Center Conservatory after serving in the United States Air Force during World War II.

Career

Bailey played with Herbie Jones from 1951 to 1953 and later with Johnny Hodges, Charles Mingus, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller, Billy Taylor, Art Farmer, Ben Webster, and Horace Silver. Between 1954 and 1968, he played on several sessions led by Gerry Mulligan, and in the 1960s he played with Clark Terry, Kenny Dorham, Grant Green, Lee Konitz, Cal Tjader, Roger Kellaway, and Bob Brookmeyer. In 1969, he retired from music and became a flight instructor. Beginning in 1973, he worked in music education in New York and was involved with the Jazzmobile.

Death

Bailey died on December 28, 2023, at the age of 97.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With George Braith With Bob Brookmeyer With Chris Connor With Lou Donaldson With Art Farmer With Curtis Fuller With Stan Getz With Grant Green With Tubby Hayes With Roger Kellaway With Lee Konitz With Norman Mapp With Howard McGhee With Marian McPartland With Helen Merrill With Gerry Mulligan With Mark Murphy With André Previn With Vi Redd With Charlie Rouse **With Lalo Schifrin ** **With Jimmy Scott ** With Bola Sete With Art Simmons With Billy Taylor With Clark Terry With Lucky Thompson With Ben Webster