David Sanborn has been the most influential saxophonist on pop, RB, and crossover players of the past 20 years. Most of his recordings have been in the dance music/RB vein, although Sanborn is a capable jazz player. His greatest contributions to music have been his passionate sound (with its crying and squealing high notes) and his emotional interpretations of melodies which generally uplift any record he is on. Unlike his countless number of imitators, Sanborn is immediately recognizable within two notes. While growing up in St. Louis, Sanborn played with many Chicago blues greats (including Albert King) and became a skilled alto saxophonist despite battling polio in his youth. After important stints with Paul Butterfield (he played with the Butterfield Blues Band at Woodstock), Gil Evans, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and the Brecker Brothers, Sanborn began recording as a leader in the mid-'70s and he racked up a string of pop successes. Over the years he has worked with many pop players but he has made his biggest impact leading his own danceable bands. Occasionally Sanborn throws the music world a curve: his eccentric but rewarding Another Hand, a guest stint with avant-gardist Tim Berne on a 1993 album featuring the compositions of Julius Hemphill, and a set of ballads (Pearls) on which he is accompanied by a string orchestra arranged by Johnny Mandel. For a couple years in the early '90s, Sanborn was the host of the syndicated television series Night Music which had a very eclectic lineup of musicians (from Sonny Rollins and Sun Ra to James Taylor and heavy metal players), most of whom were given the unique opportunity to play together. It displayed David Sanborn's wide interest and musical curiosity even if many of his own recordings remain quite predictable.
I was a 13 year young Bass Player when I came across a Band at "Parkville Teen Center" in Baltimore, Maryland called "Cabbage" with a New Bass Player....it was HIRAM! He was the most cool Bassist I had ever seen and heard!
After they were done playing I asked the Bass Player (Hiram) if I could play his Bass (like I always did back then.) He invited me onstage...handed me his Gibson Bass...an EB-0 or and EB-3...
Then he had one of those Faux Leather curved packs with Wine in it and offered me a drink ( I think I turned it down...)
A year or so later....Hiram was the Lead Guitarist in a Baltimore Band that my friends Father...Roy Gunther, managed.
The Band was called "FELIX" and they were amazing. Especially with Hiram on lead guitar. I had never heard that style of Jazz Fusion Guitar yet...even though this was in the early 70's.
One day he and the Rhythm Guitarist popped in the house from the rehearsal garage to put on "Layla" so that they could pick up some more details of it.
Later, Hiram had gone to the University Of Miami and had become even more of a Monster...I didn't know this until I saw him with David Sanborn.
During one of Hiram's solo Guitar spots where he walked all over the Arena via his Wireless...In a Quiet Moment I Yelled Out...
"CABBAGE!!!"
He paused and looked down at me and said for all to hear...
"YOU GO WAY BACK!"
We met up after the show and he gave me his contact info.
I sent him a demo of my Bass Playing and he called me on my 30th Birthday and said "Dave...it's Hiram....the Tape sounds Great...You Can Play!!!"
Most people just blow you off and never even check out your tape or give you any encouragement...
Online!
