MEET THE BAND
Johnne sambataro
GUITAR / VOCALS
South Florida native John Sambataro started playing guitar at the age of 7. Growing up in a musical family and inspired by his father, a musician and band director, made his career path an easy one to follow - and it began around age 16. Sambataro’s musical talents are many. He plays guitar, bass, and mandolin. He’s a proficient MIDI sequencer and solid vocalist. He’s also a song and jingle composer, producer, and engineer.
In the mid-70s, Sambataro began working at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami. There he was able to meet producers who used local musicials to create parts for their artists. Sambataro was fortunate to perform and record with: Andy Gibb, Barry Gibb, Stephen Stills, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Terri DeSario, Meat Loaf, John Parr, David Coverdale/Jimmy Page and many others. His experience at Criteria gave him the opportunity to record and tour with an impressive list of musicians, including: Dave Mason; McGuinn, Clark & Hillman (The Byrds); Firefall (as their new lead singer/guitarist); and Dion (Dion & The Belmonts).
Sambataro took his first touring leg with Mason in the summer of 1978 while still joining other various touring opportunities with McGuinn, Clark & Hillman; Firefall, and Dion. In 2001, the Mason band circled back to Florida where Mason asked Sambataro to sit in on his DVD, “Live at Sunrise”, recorded at Sunrise Musical Theater.
Sambataro admits that one of the most awesome things about playing with Dave on stage and in the studio is that ever since he was a teenager, he has always been a fan and still is.
When he’s not on the road, Sambataro lives in South Florida with his wife Cathe and has two sons, Jason and Jarrad, who are also musicians. Check out his solo album, Me, Myself, and I.