The current invention presents a tissue sampling apparatus and methods to reliably obtain solid and liquid bone marrow samples in sequence in a single insertion of the apparatus to a target area. The apparatus comprises a proximal handle assembly, a distal cutting assembly and a shaft assembly connecting both assemblies. The handle assembly comprises an upper handle connected to an inner cutting tube and a lower handle connected to an outer cannula. The lower handle transmits axial rotation of the upper handle to longitudinal movement of the inner cutting tube. Axial rotation of an engaged upper handle longitudinally pulls out from the outer cannula the inner cutting tube that spirally holds fast a solid marrow sample inside a distal end of said inner cutting tube. Following acquisition of the solid marrow sample, a liquid marrow sample is aspirated through the outer cannula.