David Sanborn Obituary and Death: A renowned saxophonist and six-time Grammy Award winner, passed away on May 12, 2024, at the age of 78, following a long battle with prostate cancer.
Sanborn, who was born in Tampa, Florida, and grew up in Missouri, began playing the saxophone at the age of three as part of his polio therapy. His music career spanned multiple genres, including jazz, rock, and R&B, and he collaborated with numerous legendary musicians, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and David Bowie.
Sanborn’s musical journey took him from the Butterfield Blues Band to Woodstock and beyond. He hosted the television show “Night Music” from 1988 to 1990, featuring jazz greats like Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, and Billie Holiday. He also hosted the television special “After New Year’s Eve” and had a radio program called “The Jazz Show with David Sanborn” that aired throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sanborn released 25 albums, won six Grammys, and had eight gold albums and one platinum. His music legacy extends beyond his own albums, as he contributed to hundreds of recordings by other artists. Sanborn’s impact on the music world is evident in the tributes pouring in from fellow musicians and fans alike.
Despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, Sanborn continued to perform and tour until recently. His passing marks the end of an era in the music world, but his contributions and legacy will live on through his music and the countless lives he touched.
Sanborn’s music defied genres, and his collaborations with artists from various backgrounds showcased his versatility and talent. He played with Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, and Sting, among many others. His saxophone solos on David Bowie’s “Young Americans” and James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” are iconic and enduring.
Sanborn’s impact on contemporary jazz is immeasurable. He was a true innovator, and his music continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together.
In addition to his music, Sanborn was known for his warm and humble personality. He was a cherished friend and collaborator to many in the music industry. His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt, but his music and spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us.
Sanborn’s family and friends are in the thoughts and prayers of his fans and fellow musicians. His music will live on, a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion. As we mourn the loss of this incredible musician, we also celebrate his life and the countless moments of joy his music brought to us all.
In conclusion, David Sanborn’s passing marks the end of an era in the music world. His legacy, however, will continue to inspire and influence musicians and fans alike. His music transcended genres and generations, and his impact on contemporary jazz is immeasurable. He will be deeply missed, but his music and spirit will live on, a testament to his incredible talent and dedication.
David Sanborn, the Grammy-winning saxophonist who played lively solos on such hits as David Bowie’s “Young Americans” and James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and enjoyed his own highly successful recording career as a performer of melodic, contemporary jazz, has died at age 78. A spokesperson confirmed that Sanborn died Sunday in Tarrytown, New York. The cause was complications from prostate cancer.
The news of the loss of David Sanborn to the music world has deeply saddened me, pianist Bob James, who collaborated with Sanborn on the Grammy-winning “Double Vision” album, wrote on Facebook. 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.
Equally versatile and prolific, Sanborn enjoyed rare fame and popularity for a saxophone player. He released eight gold albums and one platinum album; sat in frequently with the “Late Night With David Letterman” band led by Paul Shaffer; and even co-hosted a show, “Night Music,” that included appearances by Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed and many others.
“Jazz has always transformed and absorbed what’s around it,” he told DownBeat magazine in 2017. “Real musicians don’t have any time to spend thinking about limited categories.” A native of Tampa, Florida, whose family moved to Kirkwood, Missouri, Sanborn took up the saxophone as a boy after recovering from a severe bout with polio and being advised by a doctor to strengthen his lungs. By his mid-teens, he had performed with blues greats Albert King and Little Milton
