Discover the Legacy of Joe Sample

Joe Sample, an influential figure in jazz, emerged as a star in the 1960s as the pianist with the Jazz Crusaders and later found even greater acclaim in the 1970s when the group, rebranded as the Crusaders, transitioned to a funkier, electric sound. He passed away on Friday in Houston at the age of 75 due to mesothelioma, as confirmed by his manager, Patrick Rains.

 

Born Joseph Leslie Sample on February 1, 1939, in Houston, Texas, he was the youngest son of Alexander Sample, a mail carrier, and Agatha Osborne Sample, a seamstress. He began playing piano at the age of five and studied under organist and pianist T. Curtis Mayo. In high school, Sample formed a group called the Swingsters with friends Wilton Felder (saxophonist) and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (drummer). While studying piano at Texas Southern University, he met trombonist Wayne Henderson and expanded the group, which eventually became the Jazz Crusaders in emulation of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

 

The Jazz Crusaders, recognized for their vigorous hard bop style, moved to Los Angeles in 1960, where they quickly gained opportunities. Their debut album, *Freedom Sound* (1961), marked the beginning of a prolific recording career throughout the 1960s. The group's distinctive sound was characterized by the front-line combination of Felder's saxophone and Henderson's trombone, alongside Sample's rhythmically appealing acoustic piano, steering their music towards a fusion of jazz and soul.

 

Sample’s solo career began in 1969 with the album *Fancy Dance*, a jazz trio recording. Throughout the 1970s, as the Jazz Crusaders evolved into the Crusaders and adopted more popular sounds, Sample became a sought-after Los Angeles studio musician. His electric keyboard skills graced albums by artists such as Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Randy Crawford, George Benson, Joe Cocker, Michael Franks, Anita Baker, and Steely Dan. Notably, he was a founding member of the L.A. Express, which served as the backing band for Tom Scott.

 

In 1975, Sample produced a state-of-the-art direct-to-disc recording titled *The Three* with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne. His pioneering use of the electric piano in the 1960s became a hallmark of the Crusaders' sound, culminating in the commercial success of their hit single “Street Life” (1979).

 

Despite the Crusaders' breakup in 1987, the members occasionally reunited for recordings, such as *Healing the Wounds* in the early 1990s and *Rural Renewal* (2003), followed by a concert in Japan in 2004. Sample's solo works include *Sample This*, *The Song Lives On* (1999, with Lalah Hathaway), *The Pecan Tree* (2002, a tribute to Houston), *Soul Shadows* (2004, honoring Duke Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton), and *Feeling Good* (2007, with Randy Crawford).

 

Sample's music has also permeated popular culture. His compositions were featured on The Weather Channel's "Local on the 8s" and in Baz Luhrmann’s film *Moulin Rouge!* (2001). His 1978 album *Rainbow Seeker* was sampled by artists such as Tupac Shakur and De La Soul.

 

In a notable collaboration towards the end of his career, Sample worked with India.Arie on the album *Christmas with Friends*, released on October 16, 2015, through Motown and Soulbird Music. This collaborative Christmas album, which also involved John Burke and Dave Koz as executive producers, saw Sample contributing to four songs before his passing, marking one of his final contributions to music.

 

In his personal life, Sample was married to Yolanda Sample, and his son, bassist Nicklas Sample, performed with the Coryell Auger Sample Trio, featuring Julian Coryell and Karma Auger. Sample's legacy includes his contributions as a studio musician on iconic albums like Marvin Gaye’s *What’s Going On*, Joni Mitchell’s *Court and Spark* and *The Hissing of Summer Lawns*, Tina Turner’s *Private Dancer*, Steely Dan’s *Aja* and *Gaucho*, and numerous others. His music has been sampled extensively in hip-hop, including Tupac Shakur’s “Dear Mama”.

 

In his later years, Sample reunited with the Crusaders and led the Creole Joe Band, delving into the lively Louisiana style of zydeco. At his death, he was working on a musical titled *Quadroon* with Jonatha Brooke and Marc Mantell, which had a reading at the Ensemble Theater in Houston.

 

To honor Joe Sample's enduring influence and legacy, the Joe Sample Soundstage now stands as the official Joe Sample Celebration. This initiative has partnered with UNESCO to preserve jazz as an international art form.  The Joe Sample Soundstage was officially announced at Houston’s City Hall in 2001 by Mayor Sylvester Turner, with support from the Congressional Delegation, Yolanda Adams, and other music pioneers. Envisioned by the iconic Quincy Jones, it is spearheaded by Executive Director LJ Woodard and chaired by Joe's widow, Yolanda Sample, ensuring his musical legacy lives on for future generations.