The Eclectic Music of
THE CRUSADERS EXPERIENCE
The Crusaders Experience is a group of professional musicians based in Houston, TX who are celebrating the musical legacy of The Crusaders. They have played, recorded and toured with some of the best artists in the industry. There’s no shortage of talent when these guys take the stage. From Jazz to R&B to Latin, they cover it all. This ensemble consist of: Jelando Johnson (bass, vocals), Horace Alexander-Young (saxes, vocals), Felix Luna (guitar), Andre Hayward ( trombone, vocals), Andrew Lienhart (keyboards, piano) and Joey “ PerfectTime” Riggins (drums).
The Crusaders Experience with Joe Sample's beautiful wife, Yolanda.
Jelando Johnson composes, arranges, and produces his own music. Listeners can look forward to a musical journey that will lift their spirits while the groove captures their souls.
The Crusaders were a jazz fusion band that originated in Houston, Texas, in the early 1960s. Initially known as the Jazz Crusaders, the group was founded by childhood friends Joe Sample (keyboards), Wilton Felder (saxophone, bass), Wayne Henderson (trombone), and Stix Hooper (drums). The Jazz Crusaders developed a signature sound blending bebop, soul, R&B, and later, jazz-funk elements.
In 1971, the group shortened their name to The Crusaders and shifted toward a funkier, more electrified jazz fusion style, which helped them gain mainstream appeal. Known for hit albums like Southern Comfort (1974) and Street Life (1979), the latter featuring Randy Crawford's vocal contributions, the band was influential in bringing jazz to wider audiences. Though its lineup evolved over the years, The Crusaders' legacy endures as pioneers of soul-jazz and jazz fusion, influencing both contemporary jazz and crossover artists.