1939-2014

Born in Houston, Texas, Joe Sample learned the piano at the age of five and has been playing for more than four decades. He was influenced by many musical traditions, including gospel, soul, bebop, blues, Latin, and classical music. He is a founding member of the influential jazz funk combo The Crusaders (originally the Jazz Crusaders) and a pioneer of contemporary jazz piano. In addition to his own recording, Sample has toured and performed with Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, BB King, Eric Clapton and other giants of the music world.