R.I.P. - David Sanborn (30 Jul 1945 - 12 May 2024)

We've just heard the sad news that jazz saxophonist David Sanborn died yesterday aged 78.  An announcement today on his Twitter/X feed states:

"It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications."

It goes on to say that he had been dealing with prostate cancer since 2018, but had been able to maintain his normal schedule of concerts until just recently and had already scheduled concerts into 2025. 

His website lists four dates at Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC, for 8-11 Aug '24 and only earlier this month he posted the latest Sanborn Sessions which feature Kandace Springs.

Sanborn began his career in 1959 aged just 14 playing blues with Albert King and Little Milton. His first solo album, "Taking Off", didn't arrive until 1975, performing in Paul Butterfield's Blues Band from 1967-71 and appearing at Woodstock in 1969.

In 1972 he played on "Tuesday Heartbreak" on Stevie Wonder's "Talking Book", in 1975 on Bowie's "Young Americans" and later worked with The Brecker Brothers who he recorded his first album with.

In addition to his solo work, he was a highly regarded session musician and has over 800 credits to his name with far too many artists to list but include: George Benson, James Brown, Al Jarreau, Nina Simone, James Taylor, David Bowie, Paul Simon, Michael Bolton, Bruce Springsteen, Bob James, Chaka Khan and so many others.

We asked Steve Aggasild (SoulAndJazzFlavas) (who relayed the news to us) to come up with some of his Sanborn favourites and he provided us with this very quick list off the top of his head (and we're sure there where will be plenty of others):

David Sanborn - Hideaway - 1980 - Hideaway

David Sanborn - Let's Just Say Goodbye - 1981 - Voyeur

Fatback - She's My Shining Star - 1982 - On The Floor With Fatback

David Sanborn  feat. Luther Vandross & Tawatha Agee - Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) - 1983 - Backstreet

Bob James & David Sanborn - Maputo - 1986 - Double Vision

David Sanborn - Chicago Song - 1987 - Change Of Heart

David Sanborn  feat Randy Crawford - Windmills Of Your Mind - 2015 - Time And The River

The James Last Orchestra feat David Sanborn - The Seduction (Love Theme)

We leave you with a live version of the title track of his 1984 "Straight To The Heart" album and a playlist of a dozen including the ones above chosen by Steve.

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