Technical Sergeant Sam Kennedy is a native of Birmingham, Alabama.  He received his Bachelors in Music from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he studied with the great bassist, Cleveland Eaton, who was the last bassist to perform with Count Basie and his famous Orchestra (1980-1994).  After earning his Bachelors, Sergeant Kennedy moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and attended Rutgers University, where he earned his Masters of Music in May 2001.  Then, Sergeant Kennedy performed as a professional bassist in New York City, and Nashville, Tennessee where he performed with some of the world’s most exceptional jazz and country musicians, including Brad Leali, Derreck Gardner, Russel Malone, Buddy Spicher, the Gypsy Hombres, and many more.  In addition to performing music, Sergeant Kennedy taught electric and upright bass performance at Middle Tennessee State University.  In April 2002, he joined the United States Air Force Band and has enjoyed his 15 year career immensely.  When he is not performing, Sergeant Kennedy enjoys his time at home with his family and is an avid cyclist, and recently won the 2015 U.S. Forces in Europe Mountain Bike Championship Series.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Music, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master of Musical Arts, Jazz Studies, Rutgers University
Airman Leadership School, Kapaun Air Base, Germany, 2006
Kisling Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Kapaun Air Base, Germany 2015

ASSIGNMENTS
April 2002-May 2002, student , Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.  Air Force Reserve Command Band, June 2002-December 2005.  USAFE Band, January 2006-April 2010.  US Air Force Air Combat Command Band, April 2010-June 2012. USAFE Band July 2012-July 2016.  Air Mobility Command Band, Travis Air Force Base August 2016 to present.  

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class: 09 April 2002
Senior Airman: 09 Feb 2004
Staff Sergeant: 01 March 2006
Technical Sergeant: 01 September 2013