Founding member of the Jazz Crusaders Joe Sample dead at 75 from lung cancer complications in September 12.
Joe Sample hails from the Jazz Crusaders, a 1960s American band known for their music that combined soul, jazz and pop. The Jazz Crusaders changed its name to The Crusaders in 1971 and has played music together until 1991. Joe Sample remained loyal to the group until the end. Only beginning his solo career during the 1980s.
In an interview with Jazz Times in 2003, Joe Sample said, "The Crusaders have been the only band that I've loved playing in. I realized as I got older that nobody else played like them."
As a solo artist, Joe Sample worked with numerous artists of which includes The Supremes, BB King, Miles Davis, Jimmy Witherspoon, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Steely Dan, and Eric Clapton.
"One Day I'll Fly Away" is one of Joe Sample's more popular work. This song was sang by Nicole Kidman in Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge!" in 2001.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Joe Sample's Manager, Patrick Rains confirmed that the jazz musician passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Joe Sample dead urged his family to make the announcement on Facebook saying, "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 your prayers, comments, letters/cards and well wishes."
Steve Tyrell, singer, producer and close friend of Joe Sample shared with The Chronicle, "He was one of the real shining lights in music - and not just jazz... He could play anything, but no matter what he was playing, it always sounded like him."
Musicians and artists took to Twitter and shared their thought on finding news of Joe Sample dead at 75. Guitarist Earl Klugh tweets, "Very sad - Joe Sample was a brilliant musician, story teller, jazz historian & man."
