Page 18 - Poze Magazine Volume 86

April Sampé

Her journey took flight in 2004 when, performing alongside jazz-folk artist Crowned "The Voice of the City" by
Stephanie Lightfoot, she caught the eye of James Collins, founder of the Remy Martin V & DTLR Radio in 2014,
legendary jazz fusion band Fertile Ground. Under Collins' mentorship, she Sampé’s career has taken her to
mastered the craft of live performance, touring both domestically and legendary venues and festivals: DC’s
internationally for three years as a supporting vocalist with Fertile Ground and Howard Theatre, the 2015 ArtScape
neo-soul artist J-Soul. During this time, she crafted her role as a “Vocal Stylist," Festival, and numerous African
igniting sold-out audiences at iconic venues like DC’s Blues Alley and earning her American Festivals (2005, 2008, 2009,
place on the radar of promoters eager to book her for soul-stirring opening acts. and 2014) in Baltimore. She has
Over the years, Sampé has shared stages with a constellation of stars, opening for headlined the 2015 Jazzy Summer
Dwele, Bilal, Maysa, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan, the late Traci Nights festival series finale, the Vegan
Braxton, Kenny Lattimore, Elle Varner, Raheem DeVaughn, and legendary icons SoulFest in 2019 and 2023, and been
like Dionne Warwick, CeeLo Green, Goodie Mob, Patti LaBelle, Cameo, and Morris the Host of the Wine on the Water
Day & The Time. She also joined Malcolm-Jamal Warner and his band Miles Long, Festival in Baltimore for six years
accompanying him at the City Winery in Atlanta for the Poetry Vs Hip Hop event as running. Additional highlights include
well as the prestigious Capital Jazz Festival in Baltimore, MD, further proof of her the Vegan Juneteenth Celebration in
ability to stand alongside the best in the business. The highlight of her career Los Angeles (2020), the 2022 Vegan
came when she performed for President Barack Obama at the Congressional Festival in Charlotte, NC, and the 2023,
Black Caucus Convention in 2008 and 2009, cementing her reputation as a voice 2024, and 2025 Juneteenth
for the ages. Celebrations in Augusta, GA.