Pharoah Sanders HHV Records 26 Items

The road to fame is not always a straight line

Before Pharoah Sanders became a famous jazz saxophonist and composer, his life was one of dedication and artistic discovery. Born Ferrell Sanders on October 13, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was exposed to music at a young age, singing in church choirs and later learning the clarinet. In the late 1950s, he moved to Oakland, California, where he played in local R&B and blues bands. It was during this time that he learned the tenor saxophone, which would become his trademark. In 1962, Sanders moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. However, he found life in the big city difficult and was often homeless. Eventually he found a place to stay with legendary bandleader Sun Ra, who encouraged him to adopt the name Pharoah. Sanders became well known on the New York jazz scene, playing with musicians such as Don Cherry, Archie Shepp and John Tchicai. In 1965, he joined John Coltrane’s band, playing alongside Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison. Sanders’ playing on Coltrane’s late albums, such as A Love Supreme and Ascension, helped define the free jazz movement.

Spiritually charged jazz

In 1965, Sanders released his debut album, Pharoah’s First, which marked the beginning of his own distinctive musical journey. His powerful, spiritually-influenced music would later make him a key figure in the spiritual jazz movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he released a series of classic albums, including Karma, Jewels, and Love in Us All. These albums featured Sanders’ signature sound of intensity, spirituality, and technical virtuosity. In the 1970s, Sanders released some of his most acclaimed albums, including Love in Us All (1971) and Izipho Zam (1973). These albums contained Sanders’ signature sound of intensity, spirituality, and technical virtuosity. In the 1970s, Sanders released some of his most acclaimed albums, including Love in Us All (1971) and Izipho Zam (1973). These albums featured Sanders’ signature “sheets of sound” approach to saxophone playing, as well as his collaborations with other leading jazz musicians, such as pianist Alice Coltrane, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Elvin Jones. Sanders’ discography continued to evolve, with forays in the late 1970s and 1980s into more accessible fusion jazz, such as Journey to the One (1980), Rejoice (1981), and Africa (1988). In the 1990s and 2000s, he returned to his roots with albums such as Moon Child (1990), Welcome to Love (1991) and Black Unity (1997), reaffirming his commitment to experimental, spiritually charged jazz. In 2023, a reissue of the album Pharoah, recorded in 1976, was released on the label Luaka Bop and includes two live performances of Harvest Time.
Sanders the philosopher of sound

Sound philosopher Sanders

Pharoah Sanders remains by no means unproductive. In 2021 he released the vinyl Promises, a collaboration with English electronic music producer Floating Points and the London Symphony Orchestra. The album was widely praised, with Pitchfork calling it a clear masterpiece of his late career. He remains a pioneering figure in the world of jazz. His innovative approach to the saxophone, featuring powerful, emotive free-jazz improvisations, revolutionized the way people perceive and experience music. Sanders’ collaboration with John Coltrane in the 1960s expanded the boundaries of jazz and introduced spiritual and avant-garde elements that inspired generations of musicians. Sanders’ influence extends far beyond his virtuoso saxophone skills. His compositions and performances transcend musical boundaries and convey deep spirituality and emotion. He is not only a musician, but also a philosopher of sound who explores the human soul through his music.