Jazz maestro ready to rock Jozi
David Sanborn to surprise his fans at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and perform his all time classic hit, Maputo
“I LOVE music so much because it’s like an open sky. There are so many paths to take, so many options, so many things to explore.”
The speaker is celebrated American jazz maestro David Sanborn, who will be in Johannesburg for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz concerts at Sandton Convention Centre from September 27 to 29.
In an interview he said: “Music is something that you never master but you are always in pursuit of the truth. The truth is defined by it, made by your commitment to the moment, your honesty and your ability to tell an honest story.”
Sanborn will be one of the main attractions at the 21st Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, and it will be the first time he will be performing in Johannesburg.
“I don’t believe I’ve played in Johannesburg proper in recent memory, “he said.
“The last time I performed in South Africa was in 2012 in nearby Brakpan.”
Sanborn is a musical giant who commands respect across genres. In his over three-and-half decade career, Sanborn has always pushed the boundaries, and he continues to do so today. He has over the years released over 24 albums. These include eight gold albums and one platinum album which have won him six Grammy Awards.
He told me that coming to South Africa and performing was a pleasure.
“I have some surprises in mind and am in the process of getting them together.”
Talking about his repertoire, he said: “Certainly I will perform Maputo, and a Stevie Wonder song Another
Star. As far as the other songs, I am not really sure, I am working on a playlist now and hopefully people will be pleased, surprised and gratified.”
His hand-picked band features the talent of Geoffrey Keezer (keyboards), Nicky Moroch (guitar), Gene Lake (drums), Richard Patterson (bass) and Karl Vanden Bossche (percussion).
Asked if there had been a defining moment in his career which still lives on in his memory, Sanborn replied: “There have been so many highlights in my career, that it’s hard to pick one. Certainly playing with Stevie Wonder was a real highlight. I had the opportunity to play with him for many years and just to be around that energy and creativity was truly inspiring.”
He chose the saxophone because in the late 50s when he was 14 “there were a lot of saxophones on records at that time. It was pretty much the solo instrument of rock n roll and rhythm and blues. I just loved the sound of the saxophone and it seemed to be so close to the sound of the human voice.”
He later studied music at the Northwestern University and then at the University of Iowa, where he played and studied with the great saxophonist, JR Monterose.
He described playing at Woodstock in 1969 as an amazing career highlight and a tremendous experience when he performed with Paul Butterfield and
the Butterfield Blues Band. He also mentioned performing at the 70th birthday tribute to Nelson Mandela at Wembley Stadium in London in June 1988 when he was still in prison.
”It was truly inspiring, not only because the music was extraordinary, but that the music was being used in service of a noble cause, to bring attention to the continued imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.”
He finds the present state of jazz music in the US as “healthy” because there are a lot of young jazz musicians who recognise that jazz needs to absorb elements from the culture at large and can’t exist in isolation.
It always absorbs elements like hip hop, and music from other cultures to stay vital and move forward. His future plans include a new album, which is still in the early stages. Sanborn’s favourite album is the late Aretha Franklin’s I Never Loved a Man the Way
I Loved You featuring Respect, adding that it was “just timeless.”
His message to his South African fans is that he is really looking forward to seeing everyone and he hopes they have a good time at the show.
Over the years he has toured with Stevie Wonder, where he recorded for Wonder’s Talking Book album, performed with The Rolling Stones and collaborated with Paul Simon and James Taylor.
He also toured with David Bowie with whom he recorded the famous solo heard on Young Americans.
Asked what advice he would give up-and-coming musicians wanting to make music a career, Sanborn emphasised that music is dedication.
“Be sure you are going into music because you love it, and not because you think it might be a pathway to success. It’s a difficult road and you will probably experience ups and downs, so if you keep your priorities straight, and have a passion for music, then I would say follow that passion. If you don’t and think it’s just a good career opportunity, I would say nine times out of ten you will be disappointed.”
I’m working on a playlist now and hopefully people will be pleased, surprised and gratified DAVID SANBORN Jazz musician