JOE SAMPLE
For more than four decades, pianist and composer Joe Sample has been an integral, innovative and bestselling part of jazz history. Learning to play piano at age five, the Houston native's formative years found him firmly rooted in many different musical traditions, including gospel, soul, bebop, blues, Latin, and classical music. Sample founded the Jazz Crusaders along with trombonist Wayne Henderson, tenor saxman Wilton Felder and drummer Stix Hooper. While actively touring as a member of the Crusaders, Sample simultaneously launched a successful solo career. In addition to his own recording, Sample has toured and performed with numerous musical greats in all genres, including Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, BB King, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Randy Crawford, Anita Baker, Andrae Crouch and many others.