(May 13, 2024) We all have that friend who seems to be comfortable in any crowd. That, in a nutshell, was the story of saxophonist supreme, David Sanborn. We are sad to report Mr. Sanborn’s passing today from cancer at age 78.
Sanborn’s social media account posted notice of the sad news: “It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, six-time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications."
In the tapestry of soulful jazz, few threads weave as gracefully as David Sanborn's saxophone melodies. Born on July 30, 1945, in Tampa, Florida, Sanborn's musical journey began with the clarinet before he found his true voice in the saxophone's sultry tones.
(May 13, 2024) We all have that friend who seems to be comfortable in any crowd. That, in a nutshell, was the story of saxophonist supreme, David Sanborn. We are sad to report Mr. Sanborn’s passing today from cancer at age 78.
Sanborn’s social media account posted notice of the sad news: “It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, six-time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications."
In the tapestry of soulful jazz, few threads weave as gracefully as David Sanborn's saxophone melodies. Born on July 30, 1945, in Tampa, Florida, Sanborn's musical journey began with the clarinet before he found his true voice in the saxophone's sultry tones.
Sanborn's sonic palette was painted with hues of jazz, R&B, and funk, creating a sound uniquely his own. His early years saw him honing his craft alongside luminaries like Gil Evans and Paul Butterfield, where he absorbed the essence of jazz improvisation like a sponge.
In New York city Sanborn found his artistic home, becoming a sought-after session musician. His collaborations with icons like James Brown, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, The Eagles and countless others added layers of depth to his musical experience and helped cement his status as one of the great saxophonists of his era.
It was Sanborn's solo career, however, that truly captured the hearts of listeners worldwide. With #1 albums like Voyeur, As We Speak, Straight to the Heart, and his smash album of duets with Bob James, Double Vision, Sanborn was at the top of his game for well over four decades, making millions of fans in contemporary jazz, R&B and pop.
For many of us, Sanborn was musical royalty, even as he assumed the “elder statesman” role in the jazz world. He continued to performed to packed, loving audiences well into the 2020s, and those fans, and many, many more, will be mourning today, even as they celebrate a career that brought pure joy. Rest in peace.