Jazz-Pittsburgh.com Smooth Jazz Artist Discography and BiographyDavid Sanborn - smooth jazz instrumental pop R&B legend saxophonist composer wins Grammy awards TimeagainFind the pittsburgh smooth jazz news resource and new restaurant directory at Jazz-Pittsburgh.com, the official Smooth Jazz event listings website and best dining guide of jazz clubs in PittsburghDavid Sanborn in Pittsburgh - Timeagain Without question, David Sanborn is still one of the most influential saxophonists in contemporary jazz, pop, and R/B. Sanborn consistently puts out award-winning work showcasing his eclecticism and timeless sound and style.
The "sound" of Sanborn is uniquely characterized by a richly soulful, edgy, and deep sonority so passionate and compelling that it captivates a listener and is immediately identifiable. In fact, anyone who is a fan of contemporary jazz and David Sanborn, knows that the approach of many of today's contemporary jazz saxophonists (ie Candy Dulfer, Warren Hill, and lately Mindi Abair to name a few), is rooted in a sound and style that is undeniably Sanborn's. David Sanborn was born in Tampa Florida in 1945 and raised in St. Louis. For therapy from polio he had contracted in his youth, Sanborn was advised to take up a wind instrument to strengthen his lungs. Sanborn's influences originate with players spanning jazz, R/B, blues, and rock genres. Players like Sonny Stitt, King Curtis, Arnett Cobb and Jimmy Forrest caught Sanborn's ear--plus cats like Charlie Parker Jackie McClean, and Hank Crawford. His career began playing the St. Louis R/B and jazz scene. He would spend his teenaged years honing his craft as a show-stopping sideman. Stints with legends like Albert King and Little Milton would prove to be priceless lessons. He would go on to study music at North Western University and Iowa University before heading west to work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. After five years with Paul Butterfield, Sanborn would become a highly sought-after sideman playing with Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Gil Evans, and the Brecker Brothers. Signing with Warner Brothers and having great success with his first solo release "Taking Off" in 1975 , Sanborn would open for James Taylor touring the country and gaining great exposure. Torn between continuing the lucrative role of sideman and the rewarding--but unpredictable--role of solo artist, Sanborn chose the latter and would meet with much success--still making cameos on other artists' tours and albums here and there. Sanborn's "Hideaway" (1979) release would be very successful and "Voyeur" (1980) would earn him his first Grammy. His presence, sound, and style in the smooth jazz format would persist. Over his 40-year-plus career, Sanborn has scored six Grammys for his large and diverse body of work mostly set in instrumental pop and R/B. Those Grammy awards would be for: "All I Need is You" (Single - from the "Voyeur" album) for Best R/B Instrumental Performance - 1981 "Straight to the Heart" (Album) for Best Jazz Fusion Performance - 1985 "Double Vision" - Bob James and David Sanborn (Album) for Best Jazz Fusion Performance - 1986 "Chicago Song" (Single - from the album "A Change of Heart") for Best R/B Instrumental Performance - 1987 "Close-Up" (Album) for Best Pop Instrumental Performance - 1988 "Inside" (Album) for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance - 1999 With his new release "Timeagain", Sanborn's refreshing diversity shines on this collection of songs--most of which have been made famous by other artists/composers--as he breathes new and interesting life into them. Sanborn just has an uncanny nack of making a song his own--as if he had written it himself. "Timeagain" has a laid back cool jazz vibe to it. Sanborn's tone is occasionally a reminiscent and contemplative one with the rhythm section providing a dreamy backdrop and, at other times, a scene that has an old-school, feel-good groove like on the opening track, "Comin' Home Baby"--a bluesy and strutting tune written in the '60s by flutist Herbie Mann. The impressive personnel for this album include Steve Gadd (drums), Christian McBride (acoustic bass), Ricky Peterson (keys), Russell Malone (guitar), and Mike Mainieri (vibes). Trumpeter Randy Brecker makes an appearance on the Sanborn original "Spider B." giving it that extra bit of "cool" that the song boasts. A Jazz-Pittsburgh.com favorite is Sanborn's rendition of "Sugar", by the late saxophonist Stanley Turrentine (a Pittsburgh native). Another favorite is Sanborn's take on Earle Hagen's "Harlem Nocturne". The rhythm section--with the help of master percussionist Don Alias--lay down and lock in a foundation of African rhythms while Sanborn's alto sings the haunting melody. Toward the end, Sanborn ornaments the primal soundscape with intense spurting phrases that dip, dive, leap, and flurry in an excited and climactic mood--as if speaking in tongues. Wow... And how can anyone not like Stevie Wonder's Classic "Isn't She Lovely"? It is a joyous song but the interesting thing about Sanborn's version is that it sounds almost as if he's looking back to days gone by--sort of a bitter sweet reminiscence. The tune breathes as Sanborn is out (stops playing) during the final choruses and the small string section re-harmonizes the melody as the track fades away. Lovely, indeed... You'll find that David Sanborn's "Timeagain" is quite an addition to your collection. It seems to get better with each listening! Enjoy! David Sanborn will be in Pittsburgh on Monday, June 23rd, performing at the Chevrolet Amphitheatre at Station Square at 7.30pm! The legendary Crusaders will be there also--with vocalist Randy Crawford! See you there! 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