Island Music Steel Drums LLC
Waiting in Vain Bob Marley
No Woman No Cry Bob Marley
Lavida en us Carnival
Breezing By Geroge
TRINI BY STERLING C @ THE BEAKERS
under the sea
Breath By Michael w Smith
Could you be loved By Bob Marley
My Girl Reggae style
BEACH WEDDING
NAVY BASE RHODE ISLAND 2014
at Daryls House New York
ISLAND MUSIC WEDDING
MILITARY WEDDING
BEACH WEDDING
CORPORATE FUNCTION
CHURCH PICNIK
Jersey Shore Beach Wedding
Overview
Island Music Steeldrum
Sterling is a one-man steel drum band, singer, and DJ with over 40 years of experience. His faith-based, family-friendly performances blend Caribbean rhythms, reggae, R&B, folk, gospel, soca, traditional calypso, and reggae gospel. Rooted in his Island heritage, his music uplifts and inspires, ensuring no derogatory lyrics or actions.
He performs for weddings, cocktail receptions, nursing homes, funerals, corporate events, and private gatherings. His steel drum renditions, live vocals, and DJ services cater to any setting, bringing joy, comfort, and celebration. His passion for music creates unforgettable experiences, making every moment special.
Reviews
27 reviews
Linda S. K.
August 5, 2016Dinner Cruise
We hired Mr. Samples to play dockside only as our guests were boarding. He was such a hit that we asked him to join us to play topside during the 3-hour cruise. He had the deck of the ship pumping with the latest dance hits along with the best island jams. The guests were dancing, relaxing and singing to their favorite tunes. He entertained special requests, sang, and did it all with a 100% natural smile. He made it a special evening for our guests.
Hired as: Steel Drum Player
Island Music Steel Drums LLC
Thank you Ms Linda
Your Co workers and your Boss are great people
I thank God for my Gift because it give me the opportunity to meet nice folks like you .thanks for choosing Island Music steel drums
Making Moments Memorable
Stacey T.
September 8, 2026Sadly, I wasn't happy.
We booked this performer for a corporate reception in Ocean City, MD, specifically for steel drum music to set the tone for our oceanfront event. While he was personable and easy to work with, the overall experience didn't quite meet our expectations.
He arrived at 6:00 p.m. but didn't make it into the event space until 6:15 due to equipment loading, cutting it close with our 6:30 start time. He did put on background music right away, which we appreciated, but he didn't actually begin performing until 7:11 p.m. — over 40 minutes into our reception.
Once he did perform, we were surprised that a significant portion of his set leaned toward singing over backing tracks rather than playing the steel drums we'd specifically hired him for. For a four-hour reception, we were hoping for much more steel drum playing throughout the event, and it felt like a mismatch for the beachfront, tropical atmosphere we were going for.
He also packed up at 10:15, ahead of our 10:30 end time.
He was a genuinely nice person to work with, and we understand he traveled a significant distance for this booking. That said, given the late start, the lighter-than-expected steel drum performance, and the early pack-up, we likely wouldn't rebook him for a similar event.
Hired as: Caribbean/Island Music
Sandy D.
August 29, 2026Great entertainment
Sterling was great for our event. We had to move inside due to a storm, but Sterling's music changed the mood, and everyone had a great time. Sterling was easy to work with, and we can't wait to have him back.
Hired as: Steel Drum Player
Cheryl M.
August 16, 2026His music and personality, warmed our hearts
With all the energy and emotion that a steel drum player should have, Mr. Samples, man from Trinidad, brought warmth and family feeling to an event space that started with 70 people and ended up with nearly 300. He managed to make everyone smile and feel the love through his music.
Hired as: Funeral Music, Steel Drum Player
Bromley D.
August 13, 2026Fantastic Music, Total Professional, an Absolute Pleasure!
Sterling was absolutely fantastic! We hired him to play steel drum for our sailing regatta, and he could not have been a better addition to the day. His music immediately set the perfect tone for the event—upbeat, welcoming, and exactly the atmosphere we were hoping to create.
Beyond being an incredibly talented musician, Sterling was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was professional, arrived early and completely prepared, was wonderfully easy to coordinate with, and was just a genuinely lovely person. From start to finish, he made everything effortless.
We received so many compliments on the music, and Sterling truly helped make the day feel special. I would recommend him without hesitation and would be thrilled to have him back for another event. Five stars all around!
Hired as: Caribbean/Island Music, Steel Drum Player
Booking information
Price range: $300 to 2000.
Gig length: 60 - 360 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - 100.00 PEOPLE
What to expect
you can expect a broad smile and authentic music both from the Islands or international I please all generations with my choice of music my Equipment are top of the line and your guest will for the first time see and hear a steel drummer that sings and play at at the same time.
About
Sterling c Sample a one man band steel drum player that bring real live caribbean entertainment to you and your friends. he started at the age of eight in his hometown in Trinidad & Tobago. Sterling always had a special talent to entertain and capture the listeners attention ever since then. there is something in the way he express his music that fills the area with joy peace and happiness a self though musician with clients all over NJ NY and the surrounding areas he has performed with great steel orchestras like the witco desperadoes of Trinidad who performed at Carnegie Hall in 1986 opening for Nancy Wilson. sterling has since then founded his own company and and compact all he has learned to become one man band solo entertainer ready to fulfill all your entertainment needs his motto 'Go Ahead Make It Memorable with Island Music
Upcoming booked events
September 2027
18
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Lavallette, NJ
September 2026
18
Friday
Dinner Party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Manalapan, NJ
19
Saturday
Birthday celebrations
6:00pm - 10:00pm
October 2026
16
Friday
Cocktail Hr
7:30pm - 8:30pm
18
Sunday
Church Caribbean DAY
10:00am - 1:00pm
November 2026
28
Saturday
mother marge Birthaday celebrtation
12:30pm - 4:00pm
Past booked events
September 2026
09
Wednesday
west orange picknic
All-day event
07
Monday
Sporting Event
7:30am - 9:30am
•
Philadelphia, PA
06
Sunday
Crab fest
All-day event
05
Saturday
panorama
All-day event
03
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Ocean City, MD
August 2026
31
Monday
Retirement Community Event
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
East Brunswick, NJ
29
Saturday
birthday party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
27
Thursday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Mantoloking, NJ
15
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Hydes, MD
12
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
3:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Bay Head, NJ
07
Friday
@Christian Health care
2:00pm - 3:00pm
01
Saturday
Nandi Anniversary
All-day event
July 2026
25
Saturday
abdin wedding seatle
All-day event
18
Saturday
BABYSHOWER
1:00pm - 4:30pm
11
Saturday
House Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Toms River, NJ
10
Friday
Restaurant/Bar Event
8:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Baltimore, MD
04
Saturday
4TH JULY CELEBRATION
All-day event
June 2026
27
Saturday
Carribean America Heritage
12:00pm - 2:00pm
20
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Middletown, NY
19
Friday
juneteenth
6:00pm - 8:00pm
13
Saturday
Church Event
3:00pm - 7:00pm
06
Saturday
Corporate Event
11:00am - 4:00pm
•
Belvidere, NJ
May 2026
29
Friday
Church Event
6:00pm - 10:00pm
23
Saturday
Bishop Pecoos BDY
6:00pm - 7:00pm
01
Friday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Woodstock, MD
April 2026
19
Sunday
P0P UP OUT DOOR EVENT
12:30pm - 3:00pm
11
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Delmont, NJ
October 2025
10
Friday
Wedding Reception
6:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Philadelphia, PA
September 2025
13
Saturday
Wedding Reception
7:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Philadelphia, PA
06
Saturday
House Party
4:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Lavallette, NJ
August 2025
09
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Ocean Gate, NJ
July 2025
24
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Cherry Hill, NJ
September 2024
01
Sunday
House Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Willingboro, NJ
June 2024
23
Sunday
Graduation
3:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Montville, NJ
May 2024
25
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:30pm - 7:15pm
•
Old Bridge, NJ
25
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Plymouth Meeting, PA
September 2022
28
Wednesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Broomfield, CO
August 2022
13
Saturday
House Party
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Englewood, CO
July 2021
16
Friday
Dinner Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Parker, CO
June 2021
18
Friday
House Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Cherry Hills Village, CO
May 2020
14
Thursday
Corporate Event
7:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Denver, CO
November 2019
10
Sunday
Religious Celebration
6:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Douglaston, NY
September 2019
21
Saturday
House Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
New York City, NY
July 2018
29
Sunday
Wedding Reception
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
September 2017
30
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Garwood, NJ
June 2017
20
Tuesday
Nonprofit Event
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Florham Park, NJ
October 2016
14
Friday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
7:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Lodi, NJ
August 2016
26
Friday
House Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Bay Head, NJ
24
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Morristown, NJ
02
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 7:15pm
•
New York City, NY
July 2016
31
Sunday
Bridal Shower
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Caldwell, NJ
30
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Weehawken, NJ
December 2015
13
Sunday
Holiday Party (Christmas)
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Camden, NJ
04
Friday
Birthday (Adult)
8:00pm - 9:00pm
•
The Bronx, NY
August 2015
29
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
5:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Stamford, CT
July 2015
31
Friday
Corporate Event
4:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Secaucus, NJ
Set list
calypso Gospel Reggae Jimmy Buffett Soul Easy listening Stevie wonder Harry Belafonte Bob Marley
Influences and inspiration
Steven curtis Chapman . Chris Tomlin Bob Marley Harry Belafonte
Ralph MacDonald Jimmy Buffette
Setup requirements
electrical outlet