Today marks the birthday of
Joe Sample, jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, best known as the co-founder and musical heart of The Crusaders.
The arrangement above and the musical reference work / birthday calendar were made by me, Frieke.
Joe Sample was born on February 1, 1939, in Houston, Texas. He grew up in a musical family: his father was a preacher and music enthusiast, and through the church Joe was introduced to gospel music at an early age. He began playing the piano at the age of seven.
In the early 1960s, Sample founded the group The Jazz Crusaders together with Wilton Felder (saxophone), Wayne Henderson (trombone), Stix Hooper (drums), and later Larry Carlton (guitar). The band moved to Los Angeles, where they became part of the thriving West Coast jazz scene. During this period, Sample developed into a distinctive pianist with a solid foundation in hard bop and soul jazz. He stood out for his warm, lyrical playing, his strong sense of groove, and his talents as a composer and arranger. Sample was someone who strengthened the collective sound of the band.
In 1971, the word Jazz was dropped from the name and the group continued as The Crusaders. This also marked a stylistic shift toward jazz fusion and funk, in which Joe Sample played a key role. He began using electric pianos and synthesizers more extensively and co-wrote compositions that were both musically rich and radio-friendly. The band achieved major success, including the worldwide hit Street Life (1979, featuring Randy Crawford).
Alongside his work with The Crusaders, Joe Sample built an impressive solo career. His debut album Rainbow Seeker (1978) with Hippies on the Corner, became a milestone in the jazz world. Sample was also a highly sought-after session musician and arranger. He collaborated with greats such as Miles Davis, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, B.B. King, Michael Franks, Anita Baker, and Tina Turner.
The Crusaders remained active in their classic lineup until 1991. In 2003, the reunion album Rural Renewal was released, with Sample once again playing a central role. He continued to perform, compose, and record well into old age, both as a solo artist and in smaller ensembles.
Joe Sample passed away on September 12, 2014, at the age of 75. His death was widely mourned in the jazz world.
Joe Sample believed that music should move people, not impress them. This belief can be heard in everything he left behind. He was known for his ability to deepen a piece of music without overpowering it—always in service of the music itself.
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