Joe Sample, Iconic Jazz Pianist & Composer, Is Dead at 75

Joe Sample,

Sample died of complications due to lung cancer at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  In a message on his Facebook page, his wife Yolanda and son Niklas thanked fans and friends for their support. Sample, a Texan, was a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, which later became known simply as The Crusaders.

Sample was described as “a seminal figure in the transition from acoustic to electronic music in the jazz field in the late 60s and early 70s”. The jazz funk fusion band was the first instrumental band to open for the Rolling Stones on tour. The group had 19 albums which made it into the US Billboard top 200. The Crusaders disbanded in the 1990s, enabling Sample to pursue a solo career, which included further collaborations with singer Randy Crawford.

Sample, who has worked with everyone from B.B. King, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker, and more, holds writing, production, and performance credits on hundreds of releases and was a leader in transitioning music from bop to soulful jazz.

Sample’s family confirmed the news on his Facebook page Friday night: “Joe Sample passed. His wife Yolanda and his son Nicklas would like to thank all of you, his fans and friends, for your prayers and support during this trying time. Please know that Joe was aware and very appreciative of all of your prayers, comments, letters/cards and well wishes.”

Since forming The Crusaders (fka The Jazz Crusaders), Sample went on to record 21 solo albums over the last 50 years. His work has been sampled dozens of times, most notably on 2Pac’s “Dear Mama,” among others.

Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman also sang One Day I’ll Fly Away in Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge. Sample’s final album, Live, which featured Crawford and his son on bass, was released in 2012.