How David Sanborn Changed My Life: A Tribute to the Saxophone Legend 

I first met David Sanborn on the Brooklyn Bridge one very early morning. I was a high school teenager walking back home after hanging with some friends in Manhattan. I stood there for what seemed like a moment; but, it was actually a little over an hour. Totally floored by what I heard...I asked him why he was playing on the bridge. He told me that he lived in an apartment and NO ONE wanted to hear noise at 2A. I was hooked...I was playing trumpet at the time. The encounter changed my phrasing on my horn. Years later, I was looking for something to productively occupy my time as an airline pilot. I decided to give the alto a try and immediately fell in love with the expressiveness of the alto. After seeing Mr. Sanborn in Georgetown at Blues Alley, I walked up to him post show. I thanked him for the shoe and reminded him of our past meeting many years before. He remembered details that I had forgotten initially. What am amazingly generous human being he was. I am glad that I was able to express my gratitude to him following multiple shows. More importantly he helped add a soundtrack to so many special moments. Enjoy your jam sessions with Hank Crawford, Joe Sample, Chick Corea, and others, Mr. Sanborn!

Me too. I'm writing about it now for my Substack. Thank you for this tribute!

I saw Sanborn Perfomorm a couple of times in Atlanta Chastain Park, Once in Albany NY The Egg, once in Dallas Tax, and once in NYC Music City Hall. In Albany NY, I found out that Sanborn was staying at the hotel where I was staying. I was a consultant at the time so I basically lived out of that hotel. So I waited in the lobby for him and nearly missed him when my friend said is that him. I chased him down as he was getting on the elevator and got his autograph. The door closed on him while he was signing. So I have his autograph.

All sax players surely love David sanborn.....I know I do...rip dave

David Sanborn is the reason I started playing alto saxophone 14 years ago. RIP Mr David Alto sax Sanborn ❤😢😢

Dude! You are a blessing! I've never heard your music, but I will check you out. I too had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Sanborn back in the 80's after a concert in Chicago. He talked to me and my friend for 30 minutes! Then Hiram Bullock, Marcus Miller, Omar Hakim and Hamish Stuart all came out and signed autographs for me! They were all just wonderful people! Also you mentioned Jeff Lorber, who I've never had the pleasure of meeting, but I have all of his albums from the late 70's and eighties, just as I have Mr. Sanborn's as well. If you believe in that kind of thing--I do--He saw your video and he loved it. Peace and Blessings, Grady. Ritch Barnes

I think David would be proud. After seeing this video, I subscribed to your channel. Love your sound. Love the fact you worked with Jeff Lorber, too. Hope to see you in concert one day.

Thank you Grady for this heartfelt tribute to David Sanborn. I met your music only a few years ago, and I'm excited for you that you got to spend time learning from him. I'm a huge smooth jazz music fan, and David Sanborn got me into it. You'd appreciate this, Grady; shortly after becoming a believer, I knew I had to give up some of the music I was listening to as I knew it didn't go with professing Christ. Someone mentioned David Sanborn in a tv show I watched, so I looked him up. I loved his music. so I bought the Voyeur cassette, and wore that out until his next album came out, and then the next one.... As I listened to Jazz radio I discovered all these amazing smooth jazz artists that I still listen to today. So David Sanborn influenced this IT guy/Videographer, and I will miss waiting for his new music to come out, but he's given us so much great music to listen to, and to pass on to others. Thank you Grady for this incredible video (I love your lighting and composition) and sharing your thoughts with us about how David Sanborn left his mark on your life.

Grady, I am in tears over here. This is a beautiful tribute for David Sanborn. ❤😢. I’m an Alto Sax Player as well. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt tribute !! All the best to you!

A loving and wonderful tribute to David. I was a fan of his music, and saw him perform twice, in a small venue concert hall in Columbus, Ohio, in the 1980s. The small venue meant his performance felt intimate and personal. I had his albums and music on cassettes. This thing that you did, reminds me how I wish I could have thanked my own mentors and teachers, when I began my Art making career.

Beautiful brother.....

Your tribute is absolutely amazing. I have been a fan of David Sanborn since the 70’s. It’s wonderful to hear your sincere appreciation for his god given talent. I live in AR and hope you come through soon:). Your Night Music is Fabulous!!

Good stuff man

Great tribute! He would’ve loved it! I was a friend of his and a altoist in nyc. His sound was always unbelievable no matter where he playe. Even if just in a basement it was full tilt lol! The guys was always inspiring, encouraging and moving forward. Keep on playing! 🫡

Love this tribute to Dave! I would go out to local spots around San Diego and see a band called Native Vibe, one of many Jazz bands in town. I would be the only non-musician to come specifically to see the band - others would be at these spots to get dinner or to pick up chics - but I'd be the only person who didn't "know" music that would be there, cause the music was pretty special. During the breaks, one musician after anther would come up to the stage with looks on there faces like, "We're not worthy" and both Nee Sackey and Bill McPherson would welcome them as if they were long-lost brothers. They spent a lot of time talking about what these youngsters might want to listen to, and how they might want to practice. These guys never expected to have a hit record, they weren't in it for the money and they had no expectations of fame, even though they worked extremely hard to get to where they were. The way they treated these young players really said a lot about who they were! There was a short clip on RU-vid (after Dave passed) of an interview with David and when prompted, he made it clear that in the Jazz world young players understand that those that came before them have a lot to teach. Jazz musicians tend to have a great deal of respect for those that have influenced them. David probably picked up right away that you were one of these "kids" and was happy to spend time talking with you - it might have been the highlight of the night for him.

Wonderful video, Grady -- Thank You!! I hope you can come up to Wichita this year. 🎷

❤️☘️🇦🇺👏🎷🪈