Sax master David Sanborn will play a three-night stand at Anthology this week from Wednesday through Friday.
After contracting polio at an early age, doctors suggested that Sanborn might strengthen his breathing by taking up a musical instrument. Picking up the saxophone was one of the best decisions he ever made; by age 14, he was already playing with blues legends Albert King and Little Milton.
Sanborn is often identified with the smooth-jazz genre, but the characterization isn't really appropriate. It's hard to deny he is one of the most successful sax players in the last 30 years, but that doesn't mean his work can't be challenging. Sanborn is a gifted composer who's worked with musicians across the board; he can play any genre or style, and many credit him with reinvigorating young people's interest in the sax as an instrument.
Sanborn has released 25 albums since his 1975 debut, Taking Off. Three of his releases -- Voyeur (1981), Double Vision (1986) and Close Up (1988) -- have won Grammy awards. If you've never knowingly listened to his music, you've probably heard it while watching the Lethal Weapon movies. The famous sax solo during the opening credits to L.A. Law also belongs to Sanborn.
In addition to his solo work, Sanborn is a well-regarded session musician. His sax can be heard on records by David Bowie, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, the Eagles, Little Feat, the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, Elton John, Jaco Pastorius, Todd Rundgren, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Roger Waters, Ween, Stevie Wonder and many others.
Sanborn is touring to support his latest album, Only Everything. He'll be playing two shows each night Nov. 3-5. Equally talented keyboardist and trumpeter Joey DeFrancesco will join Sanborn onstage. Get your tickets here.
T. Loper is a writer and photographer for the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.
