Joe Sample - A Tribute
A tribute to Joe Sample and The Crusaders
Joe Sample died on 12th September, 2014. He was seventy five years old.
Mr Sample was a keyboard player extraordinaire and composer. A founder member of the Jazz Crusaders that later became the Crusaders in 1971.
Since forming the Crusaders, Joe Sample has recorded over twenty one solo albums in over five decades. Several tracks from these recordings were later to be sampled, helping to create new interpretations and work for younger artists. Amongst these was 2Pacs track "Dear Mama."
An innovative composer and instrumentalist, he was a pioneer of the contemporary jazz form. Achieved by reaching back to primary sources in jazz, Interpreting classics of soul, be-bop and other forms of music by composers as diverse as Jelly Roll Morton, The Gershwins, Al Jolson, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and many others.
Re-defining these powerful legacies, he established his reputation as a solid and imaginative keyboard player, giving an insight into his role as an extraordinary player within 20th Century America.
He started playing at home from a young age. Developing his talent and honing his technique playing Rag Time and Boogie Woogie. He became a player who sometimes didn't need a drummer or bass player in order to give a stunning performance. He once commented, "I used to play in my mama's living room for her and her friends after church teas."
Joe Sample came to the attention of my generation during the fusion era when together with Wayne Henderson, Stix Hooper and Wilton Felder, they formed The Crusaders and their sound of fusion and contemporary jazz created a super group, musicians who defined their unique and original sound.
Mr Sample's electric keyboard became an indispensable part of that sound.
Amongst their hits was the unforgettable track "Street Life" featuring Randy Crawford.
He toured and performed with a lot of the greats, from Marvin Gaye and BB King to Eric Clapton, Randy Crawford, Anita Baker and George Benson.
Kudos and respect Joe Sample. 1939 - 2014 (RIP)!
Thank you for the music.
'Bodederek
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