David Sanborn: The Master of the Saxophone

A Giant of Music Passes Away

Aurélien Nancel
2 min readMay 13, 2024

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Wikimedia Commons

David Sanborn, the legendary saxophonist who won multiple Grammy Awards, has passed away at the age of 78. His death marks the end of an era for the worlds of jazz, rock, and contemporary music.

The Beginnings of an Exceptional Career

Born on July 30, 1945, in Tampa, Florida, David Sanborn started playing the saxophone at the age of 11. From a young age, he demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for music. Influenced by jazz giants such as Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, Sanborn quickly developed a distinctive style that skillfully blended jazz, R&B, and pop.

A Legendary Collaboration with David Bowie

One of Sanborn’s most iconic collaborations was with David Bowie. In 1975, Sanborn joined Bowie for the recording of the album “Young Americans.” His saxophone solo on the title track became one of Sanborn’s most recognizable contributions, and he also played on other key tracks of the album, including the hit “Fame.” This collaboration not only highlighted his unique talent but also cemented his reputation in the world of pop and rock music.

A Prolific Solo Career

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Aurélien Nancel

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