Pop-jazz pioneers The Crusaders effortlessly blended elements of hard bop, R&B, soul and funk into an irresistible, hit-making groove factory yielding crossover hits like 1979's "Street Life." Founding members Joe Sample (keyboards), Wayne Henderson (trombone), Wilton Felder (reeds) and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (drums) first came together in Houston during the '50s. Drawing equal inspiration from blues and modern jazz, the result was a uniquely accessible, melodic fusion style epitomized on 1972's chilled-out party starter, "Don't Let It Get You Down." And the groove crusade lives on: the original line-up, minus Henderson, reunited for 2003's acclaimed Urban Renewal album, while providing a goldmine for modern hip-hop artists, with Crusaders samples popping up on tracks by Destiny's Child, Ice Cube and De La Soul, and others.