The Jazz Crusaders United States
Biography
The Jazz Crusaders were started in 1961 by Joe Sample (piano), Wilton Felder (tenor sax), Stix Hooper (drums), and Wayne Henderson (trombone). The group employed a number of bassists (and also a few guitarists) throughout the '60s. As the decade progressed the Jazz Crusaders moved from a more bop-oriented sound and began to incorporate more soul and R&B influences. In 1971 the band shortened its name to The Crusaders, which made sense seeing as they were playing much more funk than jazz.
