Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanborn dies at 78

David Sanborn, the American saxophonist who won several Grammy awards and collaborated with music icons Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and Rolling Stones, among many others, died after his long battle with prostate cancer. He was 78.

Sanborn’s death was announced through his social media pages on Tuesday, May 14.

“It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, six-time Grammy Award-winning, saxophonist, David Sanborn,” it read. “Mr. Sanborn passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications.”

While battling the disease since 2018, Sanborn maintained a “normal schedule” and was even able to set concert dates until 2025.

“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,'” the post concluded.

In Sanborn’s over six decade-long career, the American musician was able to release 25 albums, won six Grammy Awards, and has had eight Gold albums and one Platinum, according to his website.

Sanborn—who was introduced to saxophone as part of his treatment therapy for polio when he was three—worked with Wonder in the latter’s album “Talking Book,” and with Bowie in “Young Americans” (1975).

Sanborn also had hosting stints in the 1980s to 1990s, which include the TV show “Night Music,” the “After New Year’s Eve” TV special, and the radio program “The Jazz Show with David Sanborn.”

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