The famous saxophonist, who recorded with Stevie Wonder and David Bowie, dies after a long battle with cancer
David Sanborn, a jazz saxophonist acclaimed for his collaborations with Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and many others, died on Sunday (5/12) at the age of 78. The news was confirmed through a message on the musician’s social media page, which highlights his long battle with prostate cancer since 2018.
Starting with Stevie Wonder and David Bowie
Throughout his career, Sanborn stood out for his ability to integrate the saxophone into pop and rock, significantly contributing to reinserting the instrument into these musical aspects. He is often cited as a pioneer who “reintroduced the saxophone to rock ‘n’ roll.” His musical path includes tours and recordings with some of the biggest names in music, such as Stevie Wonder, with whom he played on the 1972 album “Talking Book”, and David Bowie, with whom he recorded “Young Americans”, the song British singer’s 1975 funky album.
Solo career
He released his first album, “Taking Off”, only in 1975, a few months after working with Bowie, and the album featured a mix of jazz, pop and R&B elements, which defined his career. With an appeal that transcended traditional genres, his albums often achieved commercial success, such as 1980’s “Hideaway” and 1983’s “Backstreet,” which cemented his position as one of the most influential and recognizable saxophonists.
Other illustrious collaborators and collateral projects
Over the years he has released more than 20 solo albums, winning 6 Grammy Awards. But her work was not limited to solo performances. Sanborn has collaborated with a vast and stellar list of artists in recordings and live performances, including BB King, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Ron Carter, George Benson, Kenny Loggins, The Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Roger Water, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, among many others.
Outside of the studio, Sanborn has dedicated himself to jazz awareness projects, such as the radio program “The Jazz Show” and a podcast called “As We Speak.” He also created the “Sanborn Sessions” series on YouTube, in collaboration with his nephew and brother-in-law, where he explored different facets of jazz with other musicians.
Source: Terra
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