Joe Sample, Pianist Fused Jazz, R&B, Acoustic and Electric, Dies at 75

Maane Khatchatourian
Variety

Legendary jazz pianist Joe Sample died on Friday morning in Houston. He was 75.

Sample, who revolutionized jazz fusion in the ’60s and ’70s, was also a keyboardist and composer for more than five decades, having worked with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker, Joni Mitchell and Canned Heat.

Sample’s family announced the news on Facebook, but didn’t mention the cause of death. The pianist was hospitalized last year with pneumonia after suffering from ongoing health issues, including heart attacks in 1994 and 2009.

Source: Variety