One of the
featured attractions at this year’s Berks Jazz Festival (its 25th anniversary
show) will be a special performance on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Crown
Plaza Hotel in Reading, PA called “Remembering Joe Sample.” This special
tribute to the world renowned pianist and composer who passed away last
September was organized by musical director Bobby Lyle and festival promoter
John Ernesto; and will feature a stellar lineup of artists—many of whom
performed and/or recorded with Sample.
It was a
sad day for jazz fans as they lost their ambassador last fall (September 12,
2014) when Joe Sample died of mesothelioma, leaving a void in the smooth
jazz/contemporary piano world. Gaining his fame in the early 1960s, and then
topping charts with the award-winning Jazz Crusaders, the keyboard player who
was comfortable in all musical settings, ranging from zydeco to playing blues
with Eric Clapton to playing straight-ahead jazz. Sample also played a
tremendous role in branding the sound of the Houston-based Jazz Crusaders.
The horn
section will consist of saxophonist Wilton Felder, who along with Sample,
trombonist Wayne Henderson, and drummer Stix Hooper founded the famous
Houston-based group called the Jazz Crusaders. Felder will be joined by
trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Everette Harp, and trombonist Jeff Bradshaw.
The rhythm section will consist of Nick Sample (Joe’s son) on bass; J.J.
Williams on drums; Randy Jacobs on guitar; Doc Gibbs on percussion; and musical
director Bobby Lyle on piano. Vocalist Lizz Hogue will recreate some of the
tunes made famous by the Sample/ Randy Crawford collaboration, including
“Street Life.”
Joe
Sample, who was a pioneer of contemporary jazz piano always reached back to the
primary sources of jazz and soul music to create his personal interpretations
of many composers. For nearly five decades Sample was an integral innovative,
and best-selling part of jazz history; and the world lost one of its legends
last year with his passing.
“Joe
Sample and I became very close in the last few years. He was like a big brother
to me and there was always tremendous musical respect between the two of us,
thus, his loss hit all of us very hard. But putting this tribute together for
the festival will allow us to celebrate the man and his illustrious musical
life. For me it has truly been a labor of love, an honor, and a privilege.
Showcasing some of his brilliant compositions for the audience will be a
wonderful way to salute a musical icon whose legacy spanned decades and will
live on forever.” –Bobby Lyle
In the
history of the Berks Jazz Festival, and starting from its launch in 1991, Jazz
Crusaders Joe Sample has been a featured performer four times (2000, 2002,
2006, and 2011). Berks Jazz Festival has always been about cultivating,
promoting, and supporting the arts in the community of Pennsylvania through
collaboration, education, and presentation. It continues that mission and
propels excellence in jazz by featuring the cream of the crop in the jazz
world. Joe Sample has been among the world’s jazz royalty throughout the years
and has graced Berks Festival’s stage alongside Lalah Hathaway, Boney James,
Spyro Gyra. Kirk Whalum, Yellow Jackets, Kurt Elling quartet, Betty Carter,
Jeff Lorber, Najee, etc., throughout his years of his attendance there.
Longtime
friend, neighbor, and fellow pianist Bobby Lyle is paying homage to Joe Sample
during the Berks Jazz Festival with this special concert. Throughout his
musical career, Lyle has developed an international reputation not only for his
incredible piano technique, but also for his versatility and ability to
constantly reinvent himself, both as a leader, sideman, and even as music
director for superstars Bette Midler, Al Jarreau, and Anita Baker.
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