David Sanborn
David Sanborn (1945–2024) was an influential American alto saxophonist who bridged the worlds of jazz, R&B, and pop. He won six Grammy Awards, released 25 solo albums, and was one of the most commercially successful saxophonists of his era. Born in Tampa and raised in St. Louis, Sanborn contracted polio at age three. He spent a year in an iron lung and was left with impaired respiration and a shorter left arm. At age 11, his doctor recommended he play a wind instrument to strengthen his lungs. He chose the saxophone, inspired by early rock and blues musicians like Hank Crawford and Ray Charles.By age 14, he was already performing in local clubs with blues legends like Albert King.
He released his debut solo album, Taking Off, in 1975. His most successful solo period followed in the 1980s with albums like Voyeur (1981) and the platinum-selling Double Vision (1986) with Bob James. Sanborn was one of the most sought-after session musicians in history.
Notable performances include:- David Bowie: The distinctive solo on "Young Americans"; Stevie Wonder: Featured on the 1972 album Talking Book; Bruce Springsteen: Played on the classic "Born to Run"; James Taylor: The solo on the remake of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)"; Woodstock: He performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival as a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
Night Music (1988–1990): Sanborn co-hosted this eclectic late-night show (produced by Lorne Michaels), which famously brought together disparate artists like Miles Davis, Sonic Youth, and Leonard Cohen; L.A. Law Theme: He performed the recognizable saxophone solo in the theme for the NBC legal drama; The Jazz Show: Hosted a long-running syndicated radio program beginning in the 1980s.
Even after his 2018 diagnosis of prostate cancer, Sanborn continued to tour and maintain a busy schedule. In his final years, he hosted the Sanborn Sessions video series and the podcast As We Speak. He died on May 12, 2024, in Tarrytown, New York, at age 78 due to complications from prostate cancer.
A Change Of Heart
Written-By – Marcus Miller 6:26
A2 Imogene
Written-By – Marcus Miller 5:26
A3 High Roller
Written-By – David Sanborn, Michael Colina 4:39
A4 Tintin
Mixed By – The French Acrobats
Written-By – Philippe Saisse 4:05
B1 Breaking Point
Written-By – David Sanborn, Michael Colina 4:26
B2 A Change Of Heart
Written-By – David Sanborn, Michael Colina 5:07
B3 Summer
Written-By – Ronnie Foster 5:45
B4 The Dream
Written-By – Michael Sembello 4:58
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 925 479-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1987
Genre: Jazz, Latin, Funk. Soul
Style: Contemporary Jazz
David Sanborn's 1987 album, A Change of Heart, is a pivotal, commercially successful, but polarizing release, praised for its funky, slick 80s production, killer tracks like "Chicago Song" and "Tin Tin," and Sanborn's signature "crying" sax, but criticized by some for leaning too heavily into "smooth jazz" and synthesized sounds, marking a high point of his commercial peak before returning to more complex jazz on later works like Another Hand.
The album blends funky jazz-funk with contemporary 80s production, featuring drum machines, synths, and prominent electric bass, notes The Second Disc and movingtheriver.com.
It features Marcus Miller (Miles Davis's cohort) and collaborations with Bernard Wright, Ronnie Foster, and Steve Gadd, notes Amazon UK and movingtheriver.com.
Standout Tracks: "Chicago Song" (funky, rhythmic), "Tin Tin" (raging funk), and "The Dream" (a popular ballad) are frequently mentioned favorites, notes movingtheriver.com, All About Jazz, and Amazon UK.
Seen as a commercial peak, solidifying his status but also leading to the "smooth jazz" label, a sound Sanborn sometimes resisted, notes movingtheriver.com and The Second Disc.
A key jazz-funk album of its era, showcasing his unique, expressive sax, though later seen as part of a creative period before his return to form with Another Hand (1991), notes movingtheriver.com.
A Change of Heart is a definitive '80s album, a funk-infused, radio-friendly record loved by many for its catchy grooves, but recognized as a departure from purer jazz, making it essential for fans of his crossover work.