“Sam Pilafian I was using egg shakers and rehearsal techniques I learned from you with my jazz band the other day. Much love for you...you were a bright light and a positive force for countless people; including this saxophonist from Long Island, NY. Rest in peace brother.”

“Absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of Sam Pilafian. His "Traveling Light" CD was the very first tuba album I ever owned, and the sound he produced was unlike anything I heard as a teenager. That CD pushed me to become a better musician and still continues to inspire me…”

“This is so hard to put into words. I can’t believe that Sam Pilafian has left us. Reading all the wonderful attributes, I also can’t believe that Sam was nearly 70 years old. He seemed ageless and timeless. It just seemed he would always be here. I guess in a way he will. His playing, his incredible teaching, his mentorship influenced so, so many of us…”

“What are the odds that in a time long before everyone always had a camera with them that my mother would snap this shot mere moments before my life was literally changed forever. This is a photo of me waiting to speak to Sam Pilafian for the first time ever. It was taken after an Empire Brass concert at Tanglewood in July of 1988. I was still a few weeks shy of becoming a teenager and had just had my mind blown by this guy. He then spoke to me in a way I'll never forget. Like we already knew each other. Like I, some random gobsmacked kid, was destined for greatness just like him. Like he was an ordinary guy just like me. He didn't have to do that. But he did…”