David Sanborn

David Sanborn, a six-time Grammy Award-winning alto saxophonist, established a career blending jazz with instrumental pop and R&B, and was largely influential on pop, R&B, and crossover players for over two decades. After honing his craft as a session musician in the late 1960s, six-time Grammy Award-winning alto saxophonist David Sanborn went on to forge an iconic career blending jazz with instrumental pop and R&B, profoundly influencing generations of musicians. Sanborn’s professional journey commenced in 1967 when he joined The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with whom he famously performed at the legendary Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 and recorded on four of their albums through 1971. His reputation for versatility and distinct sound quickly led to collaborations with a diverse array of major artists, contributing to Stevie Wonder’s critically acclaimed album “Talking Book” in 1972, and both David Bowie’s seminal “Young Americans” and James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” in 1975.

His enduring impact was formally recognized in 2004 with his induction into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Sanborn’s solo career continued with releases like ‘Only Everything’ in 2010. Demonstrating his ongoing commitment to live performance and collaboration, he toured extensively, notably as part of the DMS trio with jazz luminaries George Duke and Marcus Miller in 2011, and later joined Brian Culbertson on ‘The Dream Tour’ in 2013.

A towering figure in contemporary jazz, David Sanborn’s innovative approach and distinctive saxophone voice garnered him a remarkable six Grammy Awards over his career. His ability to seamlessly blend genres, collaborating with an unparalleled roster of artists and consistently producing acclaimed solo work, established him as a highly sought-after talent. Sanborn’s indelible contributions to music continue to inspire, affirming his legacy as one of the most influential instrumentalists of his generation.