Jazz Crusaders
Jazz Crusaders - band/ensemble
In 1961, four fellows from Houston transplanted themselves to Los Angeles and added more distinctly bluesy elements to the soul jazz style with an ear-grabbing album called “The Freedom Sound,” on the Pacific Jazz label. Its four co-leaders were trombonist Wayne Henderson, tenor saxophonist (and occasional bassist) Wilton Felder, pianist Joe Sample, and drummer Nesbert Stix Hooper.
They first joined together in Houston in the fifties with the formation of The Swingsters, the group’s embracing of many different musical styles starts where it normally does, at the beginning. “Because we came up on the streets and not in the studios,” says Felder, “our music was live. The Texas streets were rich with the blues of Lightnin’ Hopkins. We grew up on all the deep country sounds. At the same time, we had ears for modern jazz�Miles and Monk�and never saw a contradiction between the old and new.” It’s no surprise, then, that once in senior high, The Swingsters became The Modern Jazz Sextet, a group that continued through their college years at Texas Southern University. Before graduation, though, the call of the road was irresistible, and they were off to L.A.
Two years later, in 1960, the group was signed to Pacific Jazz Records and re-christened The Jazz Crusaders. Their trombone/sax frontline sound was unique, their bop chops impeccable. In a series of superlative albums, The Jazz Crusaders built a national reputation, surviving a decade in which the popularity of jazz was in extreme decline. On one hand, the British Invasion and Motown dominated the youth market; on the other, the jazz avant-garde alienated scores of fans.
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Album Review
- The Pacific Jazz Quintet Studio Sessions by George Harris
- The Pacific Jazz Quintet Studio Sessions by C. Andrew Hovan
- Louisiana Hot Sauce by Dave Hughes
April 07, 2014
Wayne Henderson, Jazz Crusaders Co-Founder, Dies
June 21, 2011
Jazz St. Louis Offering Half-Price Tickets for the Jazz Crusaders...
June 09, 2011
Jazz This Week: The Jazz Crusaders, Wine Dine and Jazz Festival, Sylvia...
June 08, 2011
Jazz St. Louis Offering Half-Price Tickets for the Jazz Crusaders...
June 05, 2011
STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Six Favorites from the Jazz Crusaders
January 12, 2011
Jazz Crusaders Reschedule St. Louis Concert for Saturday, June 11 at...
November 25, 2010
One Track Mind: The Jazz Crusaders, "Thank You Fallettinme Be Mice Elf...
August 04, 2010
Jazz Crusaders Postpone St. Louis Concert
October 10, 2008
Eagle to Release "The Crusaders Live at Montreux 2003" DVD on DVD...
April 25, 2008
Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes | Jazz Crusaders | Album