Musician Joe Sample has made his life about all that jazz.
In the second part of Tuesday's Up to Date, we'll talk with him about his career, music and what's next in his musical odyssey.
HEAR MORE: Joe Sample will perform March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at White Recital Hall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, 4949 Cherry. Tickets are $11.50. Call (816) 235-1000 for more information.
Joe Sample was a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders along with trombonist Wayne Henderson, tenor saxman Wilton Felder, and drummer Stix Hooper. He stuck to the acoustic piano during the Crusaders' early years but placed greater emphasis on electric keyboards when the band turned to jazz-funk in the early '70s and dropped "Jazz" from its name. Though he'd recorded as a trio pianist on 1969's Fancy Dance, 1978's Rainbow Seeker is often described as his first album as a leader. In contrast to the gritty music the Crusaders became known for, Sample's own albums on MCA and, later, Warner Bros. and PRA have generally favored a very lyrical and introspective jazz-pop approach. In 2007 & 2009, he collaborated with vocalist Randy Crawford, releasing the Grammy nominated records Feeling Good and No Regrets. His forthcoming release, Children of the Sun, was recorded with the NDR Big Band.
