THE CRUSADERS
Genres: Funk Jazz, RnB • United States

The Crusaders are an American music group popular in the early 1970s for their amalgamated jazz, pop and soul sound. From 1961 to present more than forty albums have been credited to the group (some live and compilations), 19 of which were recorded under the name "The Jazz Crusaders" (1961-1970). Back in 1954, Houston pianist Joe Sample teamed up with high school friends tenor saxophonist Wilton Felder and drummer Stix Hooper to form the Swingsters. Within a short time, they were joined by trombonist Wayne Henderson, flutist Hubert Laws, and bassist Henry Wilson and the group became The Modern Jazz Sextet. With the move of Sample, Felder, Hooper, and Henderson to Los Angeles in 1960, the band (a quintet with the bass spot constantly changing) took on the name of The Jazz Crusaders. The following year they made their first recordings for Pacific Jazz and throughout the 1960s the read more...