Biography

David Sanborn

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Attended Northwestern University (Evanston, IL).
He contracted polio in his youth, and he began playing saxophone on a physician's advice to strengthen his weakened chest muscles and improve his breathing, instead of studying piano.
Besides playing alto saxophone as his main instrument, Sanborn also played baritone, soprano and sopranino saxophones; saxello; flute; and keyboards/piano on some recordings.
In 2004, Sanborn was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Though Sanborn worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blended jazz with instrumental pop and R&B.

[on the recipe for becoming a successful musician] I think I just kind of put one foot in front of the other and wasn't discouraged by setbacks. There are an awful lot of musicians out there. It's about hanging in there, working hard, and being ready for a break, when and if it occurs. That's really all you can do. Work hard and hope you get lucky.
[on being asked to describe how music has evolved over his musical career] I'm probably the worst person to judge that. I am not aware of the incremental changes. It's just like getting older: you don't see it yourself because you see yourself every day. You are not as aware of the process as someone looking at it from the outside who may only see you occasionally.
[on participating in a wide variety of musical venues] I really enjoy jumping around like that. I think it keeps you fresh and prevents you from getting locked into doing things one way. It gives you an understanding that music is a continuum; there's no separation with pop music over here and jazz over there.

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