Joe Sample’s crusade is at an end

(Obituary by Russell)

Joe Sample, founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, has died at 75. In his home town of Houston, Texas, Sample formed a band in high school with friends Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper. Later they recruited trombonist Wayne Henderson, changed their name to the Jazz Crusaders, and in a few short years would hit the big time.

In the ‘70s a further name change – dropping the word ‘Jazz’ – did little harm and a European tour called into Newcastle City Hall. By this time Larry Carlton was on board and a sold-out audience heard the best jazz-funk-soul outfit on the planet give a memorable performance. Tyneside legends Last Exit (bass player Gordon Sumner) cancelled their weekly residency at the Gosforth Hotel in order to be at the gig!

Check out Put It Where You Want It (on CD or YouTube) and the 1974 studio album Southern Comfort (hear the scarcely suppressed whoops and hollers of those in on the session as they burn it up on Greasy Spoon).

Sample forged a solo career releasing numerous albums and worked as a sideman on countless sessions including Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell and BB King.    

Russell.

Obit in NY Times.