Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol.181 - In Memory of David Sanborn

I learned of David Sanborn's death from a LINE message from a band member. My head felt like it was going to explode, and I felt an indescribable sense of loss.
He was 78 years old. When I watched videos of him performing live, I had the impression that he was still in good health. I would like to offer my sincere condolences. We will never be able to hear any more new performances by this great saxophonist. It is truly a great shame.
One of the well-known episodes about David Sanborn is that he caught polio as a child and, on the recommendation of his doctor, he started playing the saxophone as part of his rehabilitation. By his mid-teens, he was performing with famous guitarists, and it is said that his talent was outstanding.

I think it was when I listened to Michael Franks' second album, ‘Sleeping Gypsy’, that I first became aware of David Sanborn. That was over 40 years ago. “Antonio's Song (The Rainbow)” is now a standard pop song. It is a song dedicated to the great Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim.
The tone and phrasing of the alto saxophone, which rides the sophisticated pop song performance, is wonderful, and I looked for the recording member credits. There, I found the name of a player called David Sanborn. In the album ‘Sleeping Gypsy’, in addition to Sanborn, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker also performed.
It was through the performances of these two saxophone players that I became aware of the concept of a 'saxophone solo' in music. Both were top-class performers in the jazz field, and they also performed solos on other artists' albums, and the high quality of their performances, which contributed to the songs, further enhanced the value of the songs themselves. And Sanborn's beautifully sad alto saxophone captivated many music fans.

I'm currently in an electric jazz band, and the alto sax player, Mr. T, was a big fan of David Sanborn and used to play his songs. Unfortunately, Mr. T passed away last June. When I heard the news of Sanborn's death, I remembered Mr. T, who used to play with me in the band. I would like to write this memorial tribute to Sanborn focusing on the songs we used to play together.
I would like to express my gratitude to David Sanborn, who broadened my perspective on music, and to the musician Sanborn, who gave us the opportunity to perform with our band members and Mr. T.

■ Recommended album: David Sanborn ‘Straight to the Heart’ (1984)

Released in 1984, this is David Sanborn's masterpiece album. It won the 28th Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
This album was recorded in the unusual style of a studio live performance. The members are Marcus Miller (bass), Don Grolnick (key), Hiram Bullock (guitar), Buddy Williams (drums), and Ralph MacDonald (percussion), and it could be said that this is the strongest line-up of the Sanborn Band. For sound, each player plays without being overbearing, and they all hit the right notes.
I think that the rhythm section of Marcus Miller and Buddy Williams is the best in the Thorburn Band.
Thorburn's alto saxophone rides on top of this ideal band performance, as if it were swimming freely. It presents a perfect world as a band unit.

Recommended track: “Run for Cover”

This is a top-class masterpiece among the many songs written by Marcus Miller. The coolness of the riffs and development that flow from the restrained bass solo at the beginning to the introduction and theme is outstanding even among Marcus's songs. This song is also credited to ‘Nightmare’ on the 1980 Sanborn album. Not only at Sanborn's live shows, but also at events like Tokyo Jazz, Marcus Miller's band would often play this song. When Marcus Miller came to Shizuoka a few years ago, he also played “Run for Cover”. It seems to be one of his favorites. David Sanborn and Marcus Miller's various bands have also performed this song, sometimes with different arrangements or different opening riffs, but this album version is the best.
Sequenced phrases fly over the chord work of the Prophet 5 and Fender Rhodes piano, Marcus's slap bass roars, and the beautiful melody played by Sanborn is layered on top of the chorus chord progression... When I played it, I was really impressed by how well it was written.

■ Recommended album: David Sanborn & Bob James “Double Vision” (1986)

This album is credited to David Sanborn and Bob James. This album also won the 29th Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
A classic album in which David Sanborn's alto saxophone resonates under Bob James' restrained arrangements.

Recommended track: “Maputo”

This album is credited to David Sanborn and Bob James. This album also won the 29th Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
A classic album in which David Sanborn's alto saxophone resonates under Bob James' restrained arrangements.
Recommended track: “Maputo
I also used to play this song with my band. Despite the song's development on the mat, the way Sanborn's saxophone sings so sadly makes me felt that it was written for him alone. The beauty of Sanborn's tone and phrasing is brought out even in such a simple song.
In fact, when I play it, I always feel that there is some kind of magic that makes the song build up without me even realizing it.

■ Recommended album: David Sanborn “Change of Heart” (1987)

A huge hit released in 1987, produced by four different producers. As always, Sanborn's distinctive, boomy, wistful alto saxophone can be heard throughout. The album's color is more urban and aromatic fusion than jazz, reflecting the musical style of the time. It was well received by many listeners, and the brand of Sanborn music continued to expand. The song “Chicago Song” from this album also won a Grammy.
The line-up included David Sanborn (as), Hiram Bullock, Hugh McCracken, Carlos Rios (g), Marcus Miller (b, key), Anthony Jackson (b), Don Grolnick (p), Philippe Saisse (key), Rob Mounsey, Bernard Wright (syn), Steve Gadd, Steve Ferrone, John Robinson (ds), Paulinho da Costa (perc) and other members who simply cannot be faulted add the finishing touches.

Recommended track: “Chicago Song”

This song was also played by the band's alto player right up until the point of his death. If you know the chords, it's not that difficult a song, and I tried to play it with a sense of rhythm.
Sanborn's alto has a strong presence in this short phrase, and his improvisation also has a one-of-a-kind feel to it.

Musicians, albums, and recommendations featured in this issue

• Artists: David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Don Grolnick, Buddy Williams, Hiram Bullock, etc.
• Albums: 'Straight to the Heart', 'Double Vision', 'Change of Heart'
• Recommended tracks: “Run for Cover”, “Maputo”, “Chicago Song”

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