David Sanborn plays the alto sax, and although he has worked in a number of different genres, he usually blends jazz with R&B and instrumental pop on his solo albums. He prefers more traditional jazz to its contemporary counterpart. “Taking Off” was his first album, which he released in 1975, but he began playing much earlier.
His career actually started because of health problems. He had polio as a child, and his doctor suggested he take up the saxophone to help his breathing as well as strengthening his chest muscles, weakened by the disease. Sanborn also cites Hank Crawford, who was with Ray Charles's band, as an important influence on his career. When he was young, he studied with Julius Hemphill and Roscoe Mitchell.
Sanborn has played as a session musician with many of the biggest names in music, including James Brown, Eric Clapton, Todd Rundgren, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and the Eagles.
A review of Sanborn in concert says:
“Outstanding show . . . David and the band were on their A-game!”
Sanborn will be at Cincinnati's Ludlow Garage on October 3, at 8:30 pm, having originally been scheduled for March 13. Poster printing is often used to create attractive advertisements when concerts like this are planned, since fans enjoy having them as souvenirs.