Sam Obrist is a singer-songwriter and music educator based in New York City. He has written, produced and arranged a growing body of work since moving to NYC in 2018, from early singles such as the melancholy piano ballad “The Little Things We’ve Lost” and the light-hearted “Turn the Page” to his most recent album “Beneath the Sun”, a lush project which sees Sam embracing a collaborative spirit. “River Rising”, released in 2023, was his first official longer form project, containing enduring songs of self-reflection, longing and commitment like “Late Bloomer” and “Targets”. Entwined with his artistic life is his devotion to music education in which he builds lasting relationships with a student body that values his insights. 

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Having had an affinity with songwriting and performing for as long as he can remember, Sam first started recording original songs at the age of eleven and, by age seventeen, released a full length album.  He grew up in rural upstate NY and took inspiration from the idyllic natural surroundings of his youth as well as from the many albums playing in the household by acts that continue to inform his writing today like The Beatles and Neil Young. Throughout his adolescence, he studied guitar extensively under private instruction before teaching himself once he left home for college. Through the lens of his education and exploration, he's developed an astute understanding of music theory with the language to communicate his passion effectively and has become a versatile player. 

 

Sam Obrist continues to work on new music, make meaningful connections and perform across the multiple venues the city has to offer.