Sam Weiss

American jazz drummer,vibraphonist and bandleader. Born September 1, 1910 in New York City, New York. Died December 18, 1977 in Encino, California (67 years of age). Father of Maurice Weiss (3) and brother of jazz bassist Sid Weiss. Not to be confused with Sam Weiss (2), co-writer of several songs in the 1950's-60's, or the jazz manouche guitarist Sammy Weiss. Weiss started with the Gene Kardos society orchestra in 1933, then gigged and recorded with many of the top big bands of the period. Weiss played with Louis Armstrong, Adrian Rollini, Wingy Manone, Miff Mole, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Erskine Hawkins and many others. He was sometimes called "Sammy The Drummer", a character he used on the Jack Benny television show. He eventually led his own highly popular dance band in some of the top hotels and dance halls around Los Angeles.