Wilton Felder
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Wilton Felder(born on August 31, 1940 in Houston, Texas) is both a saxophone and bass player, and is best known as a founding member of The Crusaders, initially called the "Jazz Crusaders." Felder, Wayne Henderson,[Joe Sample]], and Stix Hooper founded the group while in High School in Houston, Texas. The Jazz Crusaders evolved from a straight-ahead jazz combo into jazz-rock fusion pioneers, with a definite soul music influence. Felder worked with the original group for over thirty years, and continues to work in its current versions, which often feature other founding members.
Felder also worked as west coast studio musician, mostly on electric bass, for various soul or R&B musicians, and was one of the "house" bass players for Motown records, when the label opened up operations in Los Angeles, in the early 70's. For example, he played on recordings by the Jackson Five and Marvin Gaye. He also played bass for soft rock groups like America, and Seals and Crofts. Also of note was his contribution to the John Cale album Paris 1919. Felder also anchored albums from Joni Mitchell and Michael Franks, and countless others.
