Charles Sammons is an American instrumentalist, composer, and instructor world renowned for his innovative techniques and approach. Equally at home behind the double bass, electric bass, and cello, Sammons pushes the outer boundaries of the idiom and the instruments while retaining firm footing in tradition. A consummate collaborator, Sammons has been featured on dozens of recordings from jazz through electronica, rock through pop. As a performer and sideman, Sammons has played and toured with a host of the worlds most excellent artists including members Parliament Funkadelic and touring in support of the Indigo Girls.

Ever inquisitive and curious, Sammons’ musical journey has visited vast terrain and he may be found performing Contrabass or Cello with an exciting variety of ensembles ranging broadly through classical, jazz, Americana, Latin, Caribbean, and a spectrum of genres. This endeavour has taken him to far corners of the globe where he has performed for stadium audiences and art enthusiasts including at “documenta(13)” in Kassel, Germany where he recorded his current album in conjunction with a student residency.

Currently Sammons resides in Berlin where he contributes his unique voice to this hotbed of creativity. Whether appearing with one of his Jazz-Fusion-Electronica projects, VSS and Browden-Sholar-Sammons, his contribution is energetic and electrifying. As a band leader, Sammons’ manifest._Pocket is among the most sought out funk bands on the scene. Away from the stage Sammons is a prolific composer enjoying the theatre experience as much as film scoring. And because the community and heritage of this art is so important, Sammons founded the Alt-Materials Comprovisation in order to share and teach the concepts of improvisation and composition he is continually uncovering.

Sammons initiated study composition and performance at University of North Carolina School of the Arts at age 14. His informal study continued in the clubs and basements of Washington DC, New York, and Seattle. Cutting his teeth in the blues and funk scene of North Carolina, he quickly became an influence on the scene, touring with blues, rock, reggae, and jazz ensembles throughout the states. Charles hails from Charlottesville, Virginia and Washington DC. He has made Berlin, Germany his home for the better part of a decade.