Sam Riney

A saxophonist noted for his light, sensual contemporary jazz sound, Sam Riney was perhaps better known as an accompanist than as a bandleader. Among his earliest appearances on record was the 1983 LP Versions, headlined by former Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, and during the remainder of the decade he established himself as a fine fusion sideman, often in the company of vocalist Mark Winkler. Riney's debut date as a leader was the 1988 Spindletop label release Lay It on the Line, followed later that same year by At Last; he remained a prolific performer, issuing Playing with Fire in 1990, but after 1991's Talk to Me did not lead another session prior to Dark Hero in 1996. Riney remained active as a sideman into the 21st century, appearing on such albums as 2007's It Was Only a Dream by the Rhonda Giannelli Quartet. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi