Sam Lazzara is the Binghamton Philharmonic’s Principal Percussionist, joining the orchestra in 1993. In addition to his work in Binghamton, his diverse career takes him to concert halls around the country and throughout the world. He has played with opera star Jesseye Norman, pop legends Carol Channing, Skitch Henderson, Rita Moreno, John Pizzarelli, Lucie Arnaz, Susan Lucci, Marnie Nixon, Suzanne Vega, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles,  Steven Reneke, Megan Hilti, The Irish Tenors and LeTigre. 

Sam toured the country with the New York City Opera and performed with The Mark Morris Dance. Company. Equally comfortable playing avant-garde music, Sam toured the Czech Republic and Poland performing the music of Karlhein Stockhausen. 

His playing has been broadcast nationally on NPR,  heard on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy and The New York Times wrote, “Sam Lazzara is a firm and stabilizing presence on percussion. (Anne Midgette).”