May 14th 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of beloved saxophonist, David Sanborn, at the age of 78. Sanborn, known for his dynamic solos on hits like David Bowie's "Young Americans" and James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is," was also a highly acclaimed performer in the world of contemporary jazz. He passed away on Sunday in Tarrytown, New York due to complications from prostate cancer, as confirmed by a spokesperson.
The news of Sanborn's death has deeply affected those who knew and worked with him. Pianist Bob James, who collaborated with Sanborn on the Grammy-winning album "Double Vision," expressed his grief on Facebook, writing, "I was so privileged to share major highlights of my career in partnership with him. His legacy will live on through the recordings. Every note he played came straight from his heart, with a passionate intensity that could make an ordinary tune extraordinary."
Sanborn was a versatile and prolific musician, achieving a level of fame and popularity rarely seen for a saxophone player. He released eight gold albums and one platinum album, and was a frequent guest on the "Late Night with David Letterman" show, where he played with Paul Shaffer's band. In fact, Sanborn even co-hosted his own show, "Night Music," which featured appearances by legendary artists such as Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, and Lou Reed.
In a 2017 interview with DownBeat magazine, Sanborn spoke about the ever-evolving nature of jazz and his own approach to music. "Jazz has always transformed and absorbed what's around it," he said. "Real musicians don't have any time to spend thinking about limited categories." This open-minded attitude towards music was evident in Sanborn's eclectic career, which spanned genres and collaborations with a wide range of artists.
Born in Tampa, Florida, Sanborn's family later moved to Kirkwood, Missouri. He first picked up the saxophone as a young boy, after being advised by a doctor to strengthen his lungs following a battle with polio. By his mid-teens, Sanborn was already performing with blues legends Albert King and Little Milton. He would go on to join the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, playing at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969.
From the 1970s onwards, Sanborn was one of the most sought-after musicians in the industry. He was a session player for numerous top artists, including Bowie, Taylor, the Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder. He also released over 20 solo albums, two of which won Grammy awards - "Straight to the Heart" and "Double Vision." Despite his cancer diagnosis in 2018, Sanborn continued to tour extensively and had already planned shows for the upcoming year. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through his music and the impact he had on the world of jazz.
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