Performer Biography

Henry Samuels

Henry Samuels is a double bass player and music teacher living in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He has performed with orchestras in great halls across the world including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Musikverien in Vienna, and Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan Hall. As a Cleveland resident, Henry performs regularly with the Akron Symphony, as well as with the Bluewater Chamber Orchestra, and other regional orchestras.

Henry is also an active teacher in the Cleveland area. He currently teaches a handful of private students, and is the bass instructor for the Avon School of Music, and Strongsville School of Music. In addition, Henry is the double bass sectional coach for the orchestras at Shaker Heights High School, Avon High School, and Strongsville High School. He recently obtained his Suzuki Book I Teacher Certification under the instruction of Daniel Swaim, and plans to develop his presence as a Suzuki bass instructor in Cleveland.

Henry enjoys adapting repertoire for the double bass. He has performed many violin and cello works for the bass including select Bach Cello Suites, Paganini’s “Moses” Variations, Schubert’s “Arpeggione” Sonata, and Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 3.

He has recently been exploring an interest in klezmer music, and plays bass with Steven Greenman and the Case University Klezmer Ensemble. Henry has performed in klezmer concerts at venues such as the Maltz Performing Arts Center, Jekyll’s Kitchen, and the Euclid Tavern.