Pharoah Sanders
American jazz saxophonist (1940-2022) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 81
Pharoah Sanders was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", Sanders played a prominent role in the development of free jazz and spiritual jazz through his work as a member of John Coltrane's groups in the...
Pharoah Sanders is read about 392 times a day, in 28 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?People around Pharoah
Close ties
Bill Laswell Produced Message from Home and Save Our Children- Bob Thiele Produced Karma and Tauhid
Alice Coltrane Duets: Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)
Joe Henderson Duets: Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)
Nicolas Jaar Influenced by Pharoah
Clifford Jordan Produced Izipho Zam (My Gifts) (1973)
Floating Points Duets: Promises (2021)
Norman Connors Produced Love Will Find a Way (1978)
Bill Szymczyk Produced Thembi (1971)- Graham Haynes Duets: With a Heartbeat (2003)
- Lee Young Produced Wisdom Through Music (1973)
- Michael Cuscuna Produced Black Unity (1971)
Media & music
Listen
Spotify
Awards
About this person
Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", Sanders played a prominent role in the development of free jazz and spiritual jazz through his work as a member of John Coltrane's groups in the mid-1960s, and later through his solo work. He released more than thirty albums as a leader and collaborated extensively with vocalist Leon Thomas and pianist Alice Coltrane, among many others. Fellow saxophonist Ornette Coleman once described him as "probably the best tenor player in the world".
