David Sanborn made his musical debut in 2006 as a featured artist on the song “Play That Funky Music” from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band’s album “The Phat Pack.” This performance was a big band rendition of the well-known Wild Cherry song.
Sanborn also performs frequently on the stages of Japan’s Blue Note locations in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. He played on the song “Your Party” from Ween’s 2007 album “La Cucaracha,” which was another contribution.
Sanborn performed as a special guest with the Allman Brothers Band on April 8, 2007, as part of their yearly engagement at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
A trio led by jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco and Steve Gadd performed a blues and jazz fusion set by Sanborn on his tour in 2010 in support of his album “Only Everything.” He went on tour as part of the DMS band the next year with bassist Marcus Miller and keyboards George Duke.
Sanborn and keyboardist Brian Culbertson collaborated in 2013 for “The Dream Tour,” which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the song “The Dream.”
Sanborn is an accomplished alto saxophonist who also plays the tenor, soprano, and sopranino saxes, the saxello, the flute, and keyboards/piano on some albums.
Did David Sanborn play with Steely Dan?
Yes, Sanborn has played in a variety of bands during his musical career, including Steely Dan, Rickie Lee Jones’ band, John Scofield’s Electric Outlet, and his own.
Did David Sanborn play at Woodstock?
Yes, David Sanborn joined the Butterfield Blues Band and played Woodstock after majoring in music in college. Sanborn has performed with the Rolling Stones, recorded for Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book album,.and toured with David Bowie and Gil Evans.