The Jazz Crusaders, later known as The Crusaders, were a popular American jazz fusion group active from 1961-1991. The band was known for their unique blend of jazz, funk, and R&B, and their notable members included Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, and Stix Hooper. Their most influential works include albums "Freedom Sound" and "Street Life", the latter of which remains one of the greatest examples of the jazz-funk genre. The Jazz Crusaders significantly contributed to the evolution of jazz, introducing new sounds to the genre and broadening its appeal to a wider audience.