Joe Sample

Joe Sample
Sample in 2008
Sample in 2008
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Leslie Sample
Born(1939-02-01)February 1, 1939
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 12, 2014(2014-09-12) (aged 75)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenresJazz fusion, smooth jazz, crossover jazz, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Keyboards, vocals
Years active1950s–2014
LabelsBlue Thumb, MCA, GRP, Warner Bros., Verve, ABC

Joseph Leslie Sample (February 1, 1939[1] – September 12, 2014)[2] was an American jazz keyboardist and composer. He was one of the founding members of The Jazz Crusaders in 1960, after which its name was shortened to "The Crusaders" in 1971. He remained a part of the group until its final album in 1991, and also the 2003 reunion album Rural Renewal.

Beginning in the late 1960s, he saw a successful solo career and guested on several recordings by other acts, including Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Michael Franks, B. B. King, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Anita Baker, and the Supremes. Sample incorporated gospel, blues, jazz, latin, and classical forms into his music.

  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2182. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).