Renowned Jazz Saxophonist David Sanborn Dead At 78, Cause Of Death Revealed
Long-time beloved jazz musician David Sanborn died on Sunday.
He was 78.
The saxophonist, prominent throughout the 80's, was credited on songs for icons including Stevie Wonder, the late David Bowie, and more. He also accompanied Bowie on the 'Young Americans' Tour.'
Sanborn won six Grammy Awards in total for 'Voyeur' (1981), 'Double Vision' (1986), and the instrumental 'Close Up' (1986). He also had eight gold albums and one platinum album. In 2004, the musician was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
The death of Sanborn was confirmed on his social media page, revealing that he'd been battling prostate cancer since 2018 but managed to maintain his normal schedule of concerts until recently.
"Indeed he already had concerts scheduled into 2025," the post states.
It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn. Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications. pic.twitter.com/VyW56OCkfc
— DavidSanborn (@DavidSanborn) May 13, 2024
"It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, 6 time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn," the post stated. "Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications."
"David Sanborn was a seminal figure in contemporary pop and jazz music. It has been said that he 'put the saxophone back into Rock 'n Roll," his team wrote on Twitter, now known as X.
According to Billboard, he also recorded with greats such as B.B. King, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger, and more.
17 albums of Sanborn's posted on the Billboard 200 list and five other albums which went on to log more than six months on the chart. He reached the top 10 on Top Jazz Albums with a dozen albums, four of which climbed as high as No. 2.
Sanborn hosted the radio program 'The Jazz Show' and hosted a podcast called 'As We Speak.' Per the music media outlet, he also worked on a YouTube series called 'Sanborn Sessions' with his nephew and brother-in-law.
The Florida native is survived by his wife, Alice Soyer Sanborn, his son, Jonathan, two granddaughters, and his sisters, Sallie and Barb Sanborn.
