Originally The Jazz Crusaders, this American Institution has recorded and released over 40 albums since 1961. Coming out of Houston and relocating to Los Angeles, the original band, after starting out in a hard bebop vein with a two-man frontline horn tandem of trombone and tenor sax, eventually were instrumental in changing the course of modern fusion music in the 1970s, when they incorporated electric bass and electric guitar into the mix.

In 2003, touring in support of their Rural Renewal album, The Crusaders�led by founding members Joe Sample on keyboards and Wilton Felder on tenor saxophone�made one of their numerous stops at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, where they are always well-received.

The band at this time included funky guitarist Ray Parker, Jr. (a perfect fit for their syncopated soulful direction) and vocalist extraordinaire Randy Crawford.