main influences and inspirations came from George Lewis, clarinet, and Capt. John Handy, alto saxophone, and he had lessons from both of them. In May 1960, just after his 18th birthday, Sammy was asked to join Ken Colyers Band and they toured in Switzerland for a 3 weeks concert tour with George Lewis , from New Orleans as a special guest. Sammy lived in Connecticut and in New Orleans from 1965-1968.
He toured and recorded with Kid Thomas, Jim Robinson, Capt. John Handy and Sammy Penn in the legendary "December Band". In 1979, shortly after he left the Chris Barber Band, Sammy founded The Sammy Rimington Band. Sammy Rimington can be heard on 140 LPīs and more than 100 CDīs ! He has toured almost all over the world, playing with great musicians like Jabbo Smith, Trummy Young, Al Grey, Percy Humphrey, Willie Humphery, Danny Barker, Kid Sheik, Sam Lee, Doc Cheatham, Benny Waters, Arvell Shaw, Henry Red Allen, Muddy Waters, Louis Nelson, Chester Zardis , Lionel Ferbos and Zutty Singleton. Sammy Rimington has made a major contribution to the music of New Orleans, not only for his own individual sensitive interpretation of the music, but also for arranging many tours in Europe for New Orleans musicians as guests in his own band, The Sammy Rimington International Band.The New York Times: " Sammy Rimington is widely regarded as one of the worldīs leading exponents of classic style clarinet and saxophone. Over the past 35 years Sammy has made important contributions through his lively intensive approach to jazz."