Sam Vaughn

Sam Vaughn is an award-winning saxophonist, recording artist, and educator based in Oklahoma. Known for his powerful sound, melodic creativity, and command of the jazz tradition, Sam has become an active and respected presence in the region’s growing jazz community.

Sam holds a Master of Music in Jazz Studies with an emphasis in Music Production from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oklahoma Christian University. During his time at UCO, he performed extensively with Jazz Ensemble I on both lead alto and lead tenor saxophone, including concert tours throughout the United States and Europe.

His honors include first place in the collegiate jazz division of the North American Saxophone Alliance competition and recognition as Collegiate Jazz Musician of the Year by the Oklahoma Jazz Educators Association. Sam has performed at Jazz Education Network conventions and has had the opportunity to work and perform alongside internationally recognized artists including Ari Hoenig, Champian Fulton, Donny McCaslin, Patrick Bartley, Jay Daversa, and Vince Norman.

As a bandleader and freelance musician, Sam performs regularly throughout Oklahoma in jazz clubs, concert venues, festivals, private events, and educational settings. His music draws from straight-ahead jazz, bebop, Brazilian and Latin traditions, fusion, and contemporary improvisation while maintaining a distinctive and personal voice.

Sam’s debut EP, Momentum, features legendary bassist Eddie Gomez and showcases both his expressive playing and artistic direction through an original composition and fresh interpretations of works by Charles Mingus and Michel Legrand.

Sam is also a featured artist on the collaborative album Vince Norman and Sam Vaughn: Together Again with the Vince Norman Quartet. The project is also widely known as Vinny’s Garage, a name inspired by its visual concept and the garage where Vince and Sam’s musical partnership first developed. The album documents their progression from informal garage sessions and mentorship to a mature musical collaboration with the Vince Norman Quartet.

In addition to performing, Sam is committed to jazz education. He has directed student jazz combos, assisted with undergraduate jazz theory instruction, and maintains a private teaching studio offering instruction in saxophone, clarinet, improvisation, and jazz studies.

Sam also helps strengthen Oklahoma’s music community through his work with OKCJazz.Life, a digital platform dedicated to promoting local musicians, venues, concerts, and jazz education. Whether performing, teaching, recording, or helping audiences discover live music, Sam’s goal is to honor the jazz tradition while contributing something meaningful to its future.