Contact: Marcus Robinson

Thornwoodjazz.com

Phone 585.820.7874

marcus@...

5 Thornwood Drive

Rochester, NY 14625



Thornwoodjazz.com



Jazz Crusaders featuring Wayne Henderson

April 14, 2005, Water Street Music Hall, 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm, $25 in
advance/$30 at the door





Between 1971 and 1990, the Jazz Crusaders recorded more than 75
albums, as a group and individually. Along the way, the original
members teamed up with an ever-changing lineup of the top names in
modern jazz. Original member, Wayne Henderson brings the latest
version of this group to Rochester, NY. Opening for this legendary
group will be Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. (6:30 pm) and Thornwood (8:00 pm).



About Wayne Henderson and the Jazz Crusaders



For more than three decades, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder, Joe
Sample and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper collectively known as the Jazz
Crusaders have been breaking new ground and establishing new rules
for traditional music. The name 'Jazz' was dropped and the group
took up the name 'Crusaders'. Now under the helm of Wayne Henderson,
the name Jazz Crusaders has been re-established. In the 1960's,
these young men from Houston, Texas introduced to the world the
musical form known as Jazz-Fusion. By blending the elements of jazz,
funk, rock, gospel, blues and soul, they created their uniquely
unparalleled sound. Between 1971 and 1990 as a group and
individually, the Jazz Crusaders recorded more than 75 top selling
albums containing unforgettable classics like "Keep That Same Old
Feeling", "Scratch", "Southern Comfort", "Tough Talk", and "Street
Life" featuring Randy Crawford.

A notable highlight of the Jazz Crusaders' career was their
performance of the title song "The Young Rabbits" (written by Jazz
Crusaders member Wayne Henderson) featured on the sound track of the
Academy Award Winning Documentary film of Muhammad All's "When We
Were Kings".Also of special note is Wayne Henderson's ground-breaking
works; such as the African American fusion sounds of Letta M'Bulu, as
well as Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" which ultimately sold
over two million records. Wayne Henderson also created the concept
for the band Hiroshima, a fusion of Japanese and American music and
he also produced their first two successful albums, which achieved
critical acclaim and tremendous commercial success.



With the Jazz Crusaders, Wayne Henderson has used the same principle
as Art Blakey, when he formed the Jazz Messengers stating that; "The
name is more important than the individuals, however, the individuals
make up the name". Wayne Henderson has drawn on his musical
association with Ronnie Laws and Bobby Lyie, together with many
others, to form this new era in the life of the Jazz Crusaders.
www.jazzcrusaders.com <http://www.jazzcrusaders.com/>





About Jimmie Highsmith, Jr.



Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. is on of the region's best smooth jazz artists
and has played in many of the big music festivals and clubs. Jimmie
has performed with many notables such as: Paul Boutte, Chris Beard,
Joe Beard, Wynton Marselis, Wycliffe Gordon, and Yolanda Adams.
Jimmie Highsmith, Jr.'s latest CD, Jacquin was released September
2004. www.Jimmiehighsmith.com
<http://www.jimmiehighsmith.com/>





About Thornwood



Thornwood is a jazz-funk band with a high energy style of its own.
Deeply rooted in the funk, Marcus Robinson (guitar) and Herb Smith
(trumpet) have pulled together some of the region's best jazz
musicians including Terrence Bruce, John Nyerges, Steve Curry, and
Therese Lott on vocals. Thornwood's latest CD, Just a Little Sly was
released August 2004. www.thornwoodjazz.com
<http://www.thornwoodjazz.com/>