Legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, died on September 24, 2022, at the age of 81.

Sanders is survived by his family and friends who have kept their tributes coming in since the news of his death broke.

“My beautiful friend passed away this morning. I am so lucky to have known this man, and we are all blessed to have his art stay with us forever. Thank you Pharoah,” a tribute read on social media.

Pharoah Sanders Funeral

Funeral arrangements for the late icon are underway and will be communicated to the public in due time.

Pharoah Sanders Life And Career

Born on October 13, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sanders  began playing the clarinet and drums in church before he switched to alto saxophone.

He played the saxophone in high school and at Oakland Junior College California, where he studied music.

Upon graduation, he moved to New York and eventually made his solo debut.

As of 1965, Sanders was already performing at live shows, playing on many of John Coltrane’s albums including Ascension, Meditations, and A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle.

Sanders played a phenomenal role in the spiritual jazz movement in the 60s. He released an album in 1969 titled Karma.

He went on to release other albums Thembi, Elevation, Black Unity, and Love in Us All—up until the 2000s.

Sanders made a number of collaborations with the likes of Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Alice Coltrane, Kenny Garrett, Norman Connors, Tisziji Muñoz, McCoy Tyner, and Randy Weston.