# David Sanborn, renowned saxophonist, dies at the age of 78: Video, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2024/05/15/david-sanborn-renowned-saxophonist-dies-at-the-age-of-78-video-photos/
- Published: 2024-05-15T00:02:45+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**David Sanborn, one of the most influential saxophonists in contemporary jazz and
pop, died on May 12, 2024. He was 78 years old. His death was announced on his Facebook
page, which stated that the cause was complications from prostate cancer. The post
indicated that Sanborn had been dealing with that cancer since 2018. In addition,
he had recently undergone back surgery.**

Sanborn not only had a long career as a leader of his own groups and recordings,
but also was one of the most iconic soloists on pop and rock records, including 
massive hits such as David Bowie’s “Young Americans,” Stevie Wonder’s “Tuesday Heartbreak,”
and James Taylor’s “How Sweet It is,” amongst many others. His soulful sound, influenced
by his heroes like Hank Crawford and David Fathead Newman, in turn influenced dozens
of contemporary saxophonists. Sanborn was also active as a broadcaster, hosting 
the trailblazing music variety network TV show Night Music in the 80s, and most 
recently hosting the As We Speak with David Sanbornpodcast for WBGO Studios.

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David Sanborn was born on July 30, 1945, in Tampa. Fla, but was raised in Kirkwood,
Mo., outside St. Louis. Stricken with childhood polio, the young Sanborn took up
the saxophone ostensibly to improve his breathing and lung capacity. Instead, influenced
by the jazz and R&B sounds of Ray Charles with David Fathead Newman, Jimmy McGriff
with Hank Crawford, and local St. Louis blues and R&B figures, the instrument became
a central part of his life. Sanborn said that his own love affair with that style
of groove-oriented jazz began very early, even before he started playing the saxophone.
The youngster heard Bill Doggett’s “Honky Tonk” with Clifford Scott on tenor and
he was hooked. “When I heard that, I thought, ‘I can’t ever imagine being able to
play that,” he explained to me in 2022. “There was so much personality in his playing.
In St. Louis where I started out there were a few organ groups and there was one
in particular that featured an acolyte of Jimmy Smith named Don James, who played
at a club there called the Blue Note, believe it or not. It was one of those clubs
that opened up at 10 o’clock at night and stayed open until six in the morning. 
We used to play from midnight until three or four in the morning. That was my first
experience playing with an organist.”

Sanborn also had one foot in jazz, thanks to the aforementioned organists as well
as people like Horace Silver and Lee Morgan. Trumpeter Randy Brecker had known Sanborn
since they were teenagers in the early ‘60s when they both attended the National
Stage Band Camp in Indiana, along with other young jazz talents like Keith Jarrett
and Gary Burton. “Randy and I bonded at that time,” Sanborn said. “We just kind 
of hung out together and had a musical affinity, and we remained friends over the
years. Matter of fact, when I first came to New York, Randy was one of the first
people I called. What little studio work I got was pretty much through him. And 
we’ve just been friends ever since.”

Brecker remembered that initial meeting and being impressed with the 15-year-old
Sanborn. “He stood out,” Brecker remembered. “Even then, he was already Sanborn.
He developed it further, but he’s always had a distinctive sound and overall conception
since his teens. There was something in his sound and overall conception that was
just different from everyone else. There’s no way to describe the sound other than
it’s just soulful. He never considered himself a jazz player. He just thought of
music expressly and that separated him from the pack.”

The two, along with Randy’s brother Michael on tenor saxophone as well as Ronnie
Cuber on baritone saxophone and Barry Rogers on trombone, would go on to form one
of the most distinctive and in-demand horn sections of the ‘70s and ‘80s, recording
with a who’s who of popular artists of that time and applying their signature funky
note-bending sound to songs like Steely Dan’s “Babylon Sisters” and Bruce Springsteen’s“
10th Avenue Freezeout.” Eventually the horn section would get a record deal of their
own, as the Brecker Brothers, a name Randy was initially opposed to because Sanborn
was such a key part of the band’s sound without the Brecker surname.

![David Sanborn Dead: Renowned Jazz Saxophonist Was 78](https://i0.wp.com/variety.
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Even before the Brecker Brothers, one of Sanborn’s early high profile gigs was with
the seminal blues-rock group, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, whom he joined in
1967. The saxophonist had already played with blues legends such as Little Milton
and Albert King when he was just a teenager back in St. Louis. Sanborn recorded 
four albums with Butterfield and even played with that group at Woodstock.

Of course, Sanborn would go on to have much success on his own as a first-call studio
musician and as a recording artist who redefined contemporary jazz. In the ensuing
years, he recorded more than two dozen albums, won six Grammy Awards and had eight
gold albums and one platinum album— Double Vision with Bob James. Although that 
album is often credited with launching Smooth Jazz as a genre, Sanborn always bristled
at any association with that particular moniker, which he felt was created by radio
programmers, not musicians.

Brecker got a little insight into the concept behind the unique Sanborn sound, when
the two found themselves on the road in Stevie Wonder’s band. “Dave told me one 
night that he was trying to do what Stevie does on harmonica on alto,” Brecker recalled.“
And that made a lot of sense.”

Throughout the 70s and early 80s, Sanborn was also a regular member of the Gil Evans
Orchestra. Composer, arranger and bandleader Maria Schneider was able to experience
for herself Sanborn’s comfort with and contributions to Evans’ music. “One of the
greatest musical experiences of my life was touring with David, presenting music
from Gil & Miles’ recordings, featuring David on Miles’ parts, backed up by the 
Danish Radio Big Band,” she wrote in a statement she sent to WBGO. “It forever changed
that music for me into something even more extraordinary than what I’d known. There’s
no describing David on “Blues for Pablo,” “My Ship” and beyond. I was absolutely
floored by his sound and expression. It was heart-stopping, which of course is surely
why Gil loved him so.”

Schneider was just as moved by the man himself and his unique personality and presence.“
But even with ALL of that, when I think of David, the first thing that comes to 
mind is just how much ridiculous fun he was,” she said. “I never laughed more on
a tour than that. When I’d subsequently run into him on the street, which happened
fairly often as we lived in the same neighborhood, we’d just start laughing. It 
was SO much fun to work with him. Extraordinary on every level.”

For many years a regular in the Saturday Night Live house band, as well as a frequent
guest on David Letterman’s show, Sanborn hosted in the 80s a now iconic music variety
show for network television, initially called Sunday Night, but later renamed as
Night Music. Produced by Hal Willner and others, the show featured a unique and 
eclectic mix of nearly every genre of popular music at that time, often performing
with a stellar house band featuring Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Hiram Bullock and Buddy
Williams. Among the guests who appeared on the acclaimed but short-lived show were
Sonny Rollins (who performed a memorable duet with Leonard Cohen), Miles Davis, 
Eric Clapton, Santana and many others, both known and unknown.

In recent years, he hosted a web series called Sanborn Sessions, in which he played
and talked with other artists whom he admired, including Bob James, Cyrille Aimee,
Terrace Martin, Sting, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller and the late Joey DeFrancesco,
with whom Sanborn performed and recorded for several years.

Last year, WBGO launched the podcast, As We Speak with David Sanborn, in which the
host had long-form conversations with more artists he admired, including Sonny Rollins,
Pat Metheny, John Scofield, John McLaughlin, Samara Joy and Don Was.

![Saxophonist David Sanborn, 6-time Grammy winner, dies at 78 | STLPR](https://i0.
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Sanborn was also known for his wit, both on and off the bandstand. Comedian Alonzo
Bodden, who got to know the saxophonist during the many jazz cruises that they did
together, said that Sanborn had a great sense of humor. “It was after Joe Sample
had cussed out his band on an earlier concert,” Bodden recalled. “He was sitting
in with Dave and Marcus Miller and Gerald Albright in a late night concert. And 
when Joe started playing the wrong song, Dave cussed out Joe Sample almost exactly
the way Joe cussed out his band: ‘When an MF don’t pay attention, this is blah, 
blah, blah.’ It was so funny. Listening to those two go at it, you could tell these
are two guys who had been friends forever. He loved comedy. He loved hearing about
comedy and how I create. He compared that to jazz, which was a really nice thing
and an honor to me.”

Bodden also appreciated Sanborn’s humility. “The other thing I loved about him was
that he was always passing the credit on to someone else, whether it be Marcus for
writing the songs or various singers he worked with,” Bodden explained. “He also
talked a lot about his recovery and I too am in recovery. I think that is where 
a lot of the humility came from. He would joke that, ‘Hey, I was at Woodstock, and
I don’t remember it.’ So coming from that to long term sobriety is a beautiful thing.”

Maria Schneider wrote that, “David’s light was a beacon of mammoth strength – incalculable
lumens that will stay lit forever. What a loss. There’s only one David Sanborn. 
How sad to have to say goodbye.”

In a direct reflection of Sanborn’s impact in the jazz and music community, social
media posts from friends and colleagues abound about his life and legacy. Here’s
a sampling of the messages from X—

Ron Blake: David’s sound left an imprint on many genres and his influence drew new
listeners to the beauty of instrumental music. Rest well and thank you for your 
kindness.

Tim Berne: Very sad to hear about David Sanborn today…beautiful person and incredible
musician. I was lucky enough to work on a recording with him and witness his genius
first hand. Amazing guy.

Bob James: The news of the loss of David Sanborn to the music world has deeply saddened
me. 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.
I loved David’s subtle sophisticated humor, which carried over into his music. And
always made it inspiring to perform with him. He will be deeply missed.

Christian McBride: I have a lot of great stories about David, as everyone who knew
him did, but I have an extra special one. David and I discussed purchasing a bar
together in Montclair, NJ! I would have loved nothing more than to own a bar with
David. We were going to call it “S & M’s”, but we realized that miiiiiight not be
a good name.

Nate Smith: Rest in peace to the legendary saxophonist David Sanborn. I was lucky
enough to play with Mr. Sanborn once, and he was as kind and soulful a person as
he was a musician.

Laraine Newman: David Sanborn was my houseguest when he was making his first album
Hideaway. One night he played me a sound effect that was supposed to sound like 
the ocean. Afterwards he looked at me and said “that sounds like a toilet flush”
and we laughed so hard. RIP dear.

Billy Harper: I am very sorry to hear about David Sanborn passing. David and I played
together for a long while in the Gil Evans orchestra, and shared a special friendship.
He was one of the soulful players and I think he got that soulful style from playing
in a blues band.

Eric Darius: I’m completely heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of my childhood
hero, friend and one of the most influential saxophonists in music history.

Michael Lington: The news I never wanted to hear! My hero David Sanborn passed yesterday
This man is directly responsible for me (and every other sax player I know) wanting
to become a sax player and musician. To know him was an honor, he held a very special
place in my heart!

Blue Note New York: Today we mourn the loss of our dear friend, David Sanborn. We
cherish the countless incredible moments at Blue Note over the last three decades.
Our thoughts are with his family and the music community during this difficult time.
David will be greatly missed!

![David Sanborn Dead: Jazz Saxophonist Was Film Composer & 'SNL' Band Member](https://
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And, from Facebook:

Randy Brecker: Man, how many gigs and sessions we played together since the Stan
Kenton Band Camps… We met @Indiana U in ’62, when we were 15…Here’s an early tune
of mine that I wrote with Sanborn in mind. He recorded it on his very first solo
recording “Takin’ Off!’ ….”It took A Long Time”…you couldn’t imagine anyone else
playing it.. that’s how it was with Dave…Heart goes out to Alice and his family..
saddest of days..

Emmet Cohen: RIP to one the most influential modern saxophone innovators of our 
time, David Sanborn. I was incredibly fortunate to be welcomed into his world a 
couple of years ago. He was so generous, supportive, hip, always striving for perfection.
And that SOUND! One note, and you knew it was him. We shared some beautiful moments
on and off the bandstand, memories I’ll forever cherish.

Danilo Perez: It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of David 
Sanborn. He was a legendary musician who touched the lives of many of us through
his music; his legacy will continue to inspire generations. I still remember when,
at 12 years old, I discovered the fantastic record Hideaway. I offer my heartfelt
condolences to David’s family, friends, and fans. R.I.P David

Questlove: Respect To David Sanborn. A cat who managed to find his sound and leave
an imprint whether you knew it or not (I consider his Sax the third co-Star of the
Lethal Weapon franchise) We once did a show back in 2004 in Aspen Colorado & came
a day early for a rare night off and we caught him in concert and man….i was floored.

High altitude shows are not my fav and I believe this particular weekend (X Games
event) the venue was an addition 4000 feet in the air ABOVE places we normally play—-
which I guess is 2000ish? So let’s just say a 5,000-6,000 ft in altitude is a musician/
singers nightmare (it’s a wonder all Colorado home games aren’t all winners because
as a visitor you have to acclimate your system to having less oxygen, the SECOND
you touch down it would behoove you to consume a gallon of water just to keep an
impending migraine away (Roots 97 tour taught us that lesson)

I was curious how he was gonna handle this show because of his condition and lack
of oxygen…gotta say I came in kinda dreading the results…..no way this show will
be an ideal show. Most people lose breath after the 3rd song and next thing you 
know they ask to “take 10” to run to the oxygen machine backstage——-David had a 
chip on his shoulder that night bol. He made me feel like a complete amateur. He
played like his life depended on it. Backstage I asked him “are you always THAT 
intense or was it the challenge of blowing/lack of oxygen that pushed him…..

His band laughed “psssh hell yeah we were strugglin, that was energetic 5 or 6…..
you should see a regular ‘no gasping for oxygen show!’”

He laughed & playfully scoffed “I always play at a 10 speak for yourselves” he told
me that since being diagnosed w cancer he got a renewed vigor. An extra chamber &
decided henceforth to play like his life depended on it.

Sonny Rollins: I’m so glad I got a chance to speak with Dave just recently. He and
I were friends. I’m very sorry we have lost him. He was needed.

Jaleel Shaw: Rest in Peace, David Sanborn. I’ll miss our endless saxophone chats
on the phone. Thank you so much for your friendship, wisdom, support and encouragement.
I’m so glad I got to know you. A true hero.

![David Sanborn succumbs to prostate cancer leaves legacy of musical  brilliance](
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