About Us

Sam Hankins had the great fortune to be born into a musical family that would help cultivate his own talent and ambitions. Encouraged by his father, Samuel Hankins Sr., young “Hank”” began with the guitar, then switched to his trademark trumpet in middle school and began playing in churches, professional bands and orchestras. Hankins remembers clearly being one of only 5 African American kids being bussed to the predominantly white Harmony Elementary School in Oklahoma City, which he attended with his younger brother.
Music was a safe haven for Hankins who had difficulty concentrating in school and remembers clearly one of the teachers telling him that “he would never amount to anything”. However, he was determined to prove her wrong and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He then joined the air force jazz band, The Pacesetters, stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois as a trumpeter, where he remained until the Air Force Base closed in 1991.
Hankins then returned to school, earning both a second Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was while studying for his Masters degree that he found out he was dyslexic after being tested by his college professor.
During his tenure as Band Director at the Edison Middle School in Champaign, Hankins won numerous teaching awards when he led a struggling band program to Division I ratings, State and National awards and recognitions. In 1997, he won the Golden Apple Award recognizing commitment to excellence in education & in 1998 received the White House Letter recognizing the Edison Middle School Band Program, sign by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Before becoming a solo artist Hankins performed with numerous legendary artists, including Al Jarreau, Clark Terry, The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Dells, The Impressions, Aretha Franklin and the Glenn Miller Big Band. A prolific composer, Hankins had composed over 150 pieces before he took his wife’s advice and began pursuing the next phase of his diverse career, as a solo recording artist. He laid the groundwork for Nothing Between Us (May 2012) by releasing Dream Catcher (July 2011), a compilation of his catalog of music in every genre from smooth jazz and dance to techno. He released his third CD, Joyous Celebration, a Christmas CD which is a collaboration with David McLorren in November 2015. His latest CD, Do That Thang was released in March 2016.
All 4 CD’s have received lots of radio play in the US & around the world and have won over 25 independent music awards.
Hankins is currently the Band Director at Rich East High School in Park Forest, a Chicago suburb, as well as an Adjunct Music Professor at South Suburban College where he is the Director and Conductor of the Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble.
On April 23rd, 2017, Hankins won 9 independent artist awards at the Indie Music Channel Awards (IMC) ceremony in Hollywood. Thousands of independent musicians from all over the world (Australia, Europe, UK, Canada & Nigeria, to name a few) submit their music in the different genres to be judged by music industry professionals (well known producers, managers, radio DJs, songwriters, etc). The list of nominees is released in March and the awards show is held in April in West Hollywood every year. This year it was held at the famous Troubadour, which has seen performers such as Miles Davis, Elton John & Bob Dylan, amongst others. Rich East High School Band Director wins 9 independent artist music awards in Hollywood. Hankins awards included the following:
1) Best Instrumental Demo for “El Matador”
2) Best Live Jazz Performance for “So What”
3) Best Male R & B Artist for “Reach For Me”
4) Best Soundtrack Song for “Land Of Freedom”
5) Best Soundtrack Recording for “El Matador”
6) Best World Music Artist for “Balli For My Galli”
7) Best World Music Recording for Balli For My Galli”
8) Recording Of The Year for “El Matador”
9) Demo Of The Year for “El Matador” For more information on this very talented artist or private trumpet lessons, please go to his website at: http://www.samhankinsmusic.com where you can also download for free the title track from his award winning CD “Nothing Between Us”.
Read Less...

List of availability

Christian Event
Anniversary Part
Engagement Party
Hotel Event
Picnic
Thanksgiving Celebration
Bachelor Party
Cocktail Party
Concert
March Madness Party

Restaurant Event
Birthday Party (Adult)
Convention
Fundraiser
Mardi Gras Party
Retirement Party
Wedding Cocktail Hour
Community Outreach
Media Relations
Read More

List of availability

Christian Event
Anniversary Part
Engagement Party
Hotel Event
Picnic
Thanksgiving Celebration
Bachelor Party
Cocktail Party
Concert
March Madness Party
Restaurant Event
Birthday Party (Adult)
Convention
Fundraiser
Mardi Gras Party
Retirement Party
Wedding Cocktail Hour
Community Outreach
Media Relations
Social Media Campaigns
Corporate Event
Life Coach
Club Event
Festival
Labor day Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Veterans day Event
Community Event
Luau Party
Resort Event
Celebration
Cruise ship Event
Grand opening
Memorial day Party
Sorority Function
Winter Olympics Party
Studio Session
World Cup Party
Corporate Communication
Product Placement
Special Event Management
Campus Event
Cultural Event
Commitment Ceremony

Commitment Ceremony
Master Golf Tournament Party
Saint Patricks day Party
Wedding Reception
Casino Event
Country Club Event
Meeting
School Assembly
Wine Tastiing Party
Church service
Election day Party
Holiday party
Temple Event
Brand Positioning
EPK
Public Relations
Campaigns/Consulting
Talent Management Relations
Casting Call
Dinner Party
Wind Instruments
Corporate Function
Summer Olympic Party
Mothers day Party
Chrismas Party
Divorce Party
Happy hour
New Year eve Party
Super Bowl Party
Art Gallery Opening
Coffe shop Event
Family Reunion
July 4th Party
Trade Show
Banquet
College Reunion
Fathers day Party
Kentucky Derby Party
Valentines day Party
Casting
Media Coaching
VIP/Red Carpet Logistics
Convention/Trade Show
Fair
Less More

Venue Facilities

Wedding Hall
Dining
Liability Insurance
In House Catering
Dining
DJ Facilities
Personal Chef
Guest Parking
Seating Amenities

Christian Event
Anniversary Part
Engagement Party
Hotel Event
Picnic
Thanksgiving Celebration
Bachelor Party
Cocktail Party
Concert
March Madness Party
Restaurant Event
Birthday Party (Adult)
Convention
Fundraiser
Mardi Gras Party
Retirement Party
Wedding Cocktail Hour
Community Outreach
Media Relations
Social Media Campaigns
Corporate Event
Life Coach
Club Event
Festival
Labor day Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Veterans day Event
Community Event
Luau Party
Resort Event
Celebration
Cruise ship Event
Grand opening
Memorial day Party
Sorority Function
Winter Olympics Party
Studio Session
World Cup Party
Corporate Communication
Product Placement
Special Event Management
Campus Event
Cultural Event
Commitment Ceremony

Commitment Ceremony
Master Golf Tournament Party
Saint Patricks day Party
Wedding Reception
Casino Event
Country Club Event
Meeting
School Assembly
Wine Tastiing Party
Church service
Election day Party
Holiday party
Temple Event
Brand Positioning
EPK
Public Relations
Campaigns/Consulting
Talent Management Relations
Casting Call
Dinner Party
Wind Instruments
Corporate Function
Summer Olympic Party
Mothers day Party
Chrismas Party
Divorce Party
Happy hour
New Year eve Party
Super Bowl Party
Art Gallery Opening
Coffe shop Event
Family Reunion
July 4th Party
Trade Show
Banquet
College Reunion
Fathers day Party
Kentucky Derby Party
Valentines day Party
Casting
Media Coaching
VIP/Red Carpet Logistics
Convention/Trade Show
Fair

Sorry No Audio

Venue Facilities

Wedding Hall
Dining
Liability Insurance
In House Catering
Dining
DJ Facilities
Personal Chef
Guest Parking
Seating Amenities

Sam Hankins

Musical Acts/Live Bands

About Us

List of availability

List of availability

Venue Facilities

Venue Facilities

Customer Reviews

Sorry No Review

Send Enquiry to Vendor

Sam Hankins

Crowngig Connect

Useful links

Sam Hankins

Musical Acts/Live Bands

About Us

List of availability

List of availability

Venue Facilities

Venue Facilities

Customer Reviews

Sorry No Review

Send Enquiry to Vendor

Sam Hankins

Crowngig Connect

Useful links

Subscribe for Newsletter

Be Social & Stay Connected