Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample, a renowned American pianist, keyboard player, and composer, is notable for being one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, which later evolved into The Crusaders in 1971. He remained an integral part of the group until the release of their final album in 1991, excluding the 2003 reunion album "Rural Renewal".
Sample's musical journey began at a tender age of five, when he started playing the piano. Since the early 1980s, he has enjoyed immense success as a solo artist, making guest appearances on numerous recordings by other prominent musicians and groups, including the legendary Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Steely Dan.
Although his album "Invitation" received relatively less radio airplay compared to some of his other releases, it is widely regarded by many as his most outstanding solo work to date.
Interestingly, some of his compositions have been featured on The Weather Channel's Local On The 8s, while Nicole Kidman famously sang his song "One Day I'll Fly Away" in the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge!
