Grammy award-winning Jazz saxophonist David Sanborn dies at 78

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CHICAGO — Grammy award-winning Jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, whose name graces the covers of dozens of records across a wide spectrum of genres, has died at 78, following a long battle with cancer.

Sanborn died on Monday afternoon in Tarrytown, New York, following an extended battle with prostate cancer that began in 2018, according to a post on X.

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“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,'” a statement on his X account read.

The legendary jazz musician, whose career spanned decades, had continued touring throughout his cancer battle and even had concerts scheduled into 2025.

Sanborn, who briefly studied music at Northwestern University before finishing his studies at the University of Iowa, spent decades bringing jazz to the masses as a solo and session musician.

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The alto saxophonist was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1945 and played with a range of notable musicians and groups, like Albert King, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and the Paul Butterfield blues band, throughout his career.

Sanborn’s extensive resume did not go unnoticed, the influential instrumentalist collected six Grammy’s, eight gold records and one platinum record throughout his career.

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