Remembering the great Joe Sample on his birthday (Feb 1, 1939 – Sep 12, 2014). Joe could play the funkiest of tunes to the most sublime piano. In high school in the 1950s, Sample teamed up with friends saxophonist Wilton Felder and drummer "Stix" Hooper to form a group called the Swingsters. While studying piano at Texas Southern University, Sample met and added trombonist Wayne Henderson and several other players to the Swingsters, which became the Modern Jazz Sextet and then the Jazz Crusaders

Joe Cocker - I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today, Live in Grammy. The Crusaders were a Jazz/Soul group led by Joe Sample, a piano player who wrote this song with Will Jennings. The Crusaders used many guest vocalists, and Joe Cocker sang lead on this (it appears on his album Ultimate Collection). The message of hope after overcoming difficult times was a good fit for Cocker, who battled alcohol addiction in the '70s. Will Jennings told us: Joe and I wrote quite a few worthy songs over the years,

The Joe Sample Celebration with special guest, Stix Hooper. Will you join us in Houston later this month? Thursday, May 30, 2024; 7 p.m. The Hobby Center, Houston TX Featuring the Jazz Houston Orchestra with Musical Director, Vincent Gardner Special guest: Stix Hooper in a thrilling homecoming performance. Presented by Jazz Houston & KTSU 90.9 FM Relive the magic with tunes from the legendary, “The Crusaders” and experience the debut of Joe Sample & Stix Hooper’s final masterpiece! Tickets avail

The All-Star Tribute to Joe Sample show is nearly sold out downtown Detroit. Don't miss out. Get your southeast Texas groove on tonight. | Joe Sample