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The Crusaders, an American jazz group formed in Los Angeles in 1960, originated from a group of school friends in Houston, Texas. The members, who played tenor sax and bass, along with Nesbert on percussion and a keyboardist, began their musical journey in a high school marching band and initially formed the Swingsters in 1954. While attending Texas Southern University, they met a trombone player and, with two others, created the Modern Jazz Sextet. In 1958, the future members of the Jazz Crusaders—Sample, Felder, Hooper, and Henderson—dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles, where they performed as The Nite Hawks. The group rebranded as the Jazz Crusaders in 1960 as a quintet and secured a contract in 1961, experiencing a shift in their hard bop style to incorporate more soul-jazz elements as the 1960s progressed. In 1971, they shortened their name to The Crusaders and spent most of the 1970s with a new member, embracing a funkier sound characterized by guitar vamps. Their best-known hit, “Street Life,” helped bring guest vocalist attention. The Crusaders are also recognized for their contributions as backing musicians on over 200 gold records, collaborating with artists such as Steely Dan, Curtis Mayfield, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, and Van Morrison.

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