July 30, 1945 – May 12, 2024

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Alto saxophonist David Sanborn was born on July 30, 1945 in Tampa, Florida.

He began playing the saxophone to strengthen his weakened breathing while suffering from polio as a child.

Sanborn played various styles, such as free jazz and the blues, before becoming associated with smooth jazz in the 1980s. He is a highly acclaimed session saxophonist, appearing on a wide variety of rock and pop records.

Influenced early on by saxophonist Hank Crawford, at age fourteen he gained invaluable experience performing with Albert King and Little Milton.

Continuing to play blues, after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1967 Sanborn joined the “Paul Butterfield Band.”

In 1975 he released his debut album “Taking Off” and has done extensive work as a session musician becoming one of the most commercially successful alto saxophonists beginning in the 1980s.

Commonly associated with smooth jazz David Sanborn is considered to be among the most active artists of the genre having released Twenty-four albums (eight gold and one platinum) and has been the recipient of six Grammy awards.

David Sanborn is featured performing at the 1992 Earth Voice concert in Japan.

Personnel includes:

David Sanborn, alto sax
Brian Culbertson, keyboard

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