Pharoah Sanders

Overview

Ornette Coleman reckons Pharoah Sanders is "probably the best tenor [saxophone] player in the world". He moved to New York City from San Francisco in 1961, but, unable to make a living playing music, ended up working odd jobs and even sleeping in the subway.

Three years later, Sanders was invited to play in John Coltrane's band. Fast forward 12 months and the two of them were revolutionising jazz — swapping old-school structures like functional harmony for a more open-ended approach that bordered on anarchy. Sanders' vital, expressionistic sound was crucial.

Now 74, and with at least 33 recordings as band leader under his belt, he plays with more gentleness and lyricism — albeit no less intensity — than ever before. This living jazz legend will be performing his groundbreaking works as part of Vivid's Modulations program at Carriageworks.