Pharoah Sanders, one of the most creative figures in free jazz, died on Saturday September 24 in Los Angeles at the age of 81. Throughout his career, the American musician has explored the saxophone to the limits of its timbre, drawing on Eastern, Indian and African traditions to transform his music into a spiritual experience.
According to Ornette Coleman, Pharoah Sanders was ” probably the best tenor saxophone player in the world”
Pharoah Sanders is considered one of the heirs of the great John Coltrane, who died prematurely in 1967, and from whom he had signed some solos for his posthumous album. But this immense interpreter, who also played the alto and the soprano saxophone, was not unanimous and never reached the popularity of his mentor or Ornette Coleman, who nevertheless saw in him ” probably the best tenor saxophone player in the world”.
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Farrell “Pharoah” Sanders was born on October 13, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas to a modest Baptist family. He began by playing the clarinet in the orchestra of his school then frequented the blues clubs of the city, accompanying visiting virtuosos. In 1959, he moved to Oakland (California), where he joined various rhythm and blues groups under the name of Little Rock. He then meets John Coltrane, his idol, who plays in town with the quintet of Miles Davis. In 1961 he moved to New York, where he met Sun Ra, a mysterious jazz pianist and composer, passionate regarding Egyptology and UFOs. Sun Ra and John Coltrane integrate him into their group and he then takes a new name, Pharoah.
Inspired by African mysticism and traditional Indian music
It is especially outside the United States that he finds his inspiration. In 1969, he drew inspiration from African mysticism, particularly Sufism, in Jewels of Thought. Years later, he collaborated in The Trance of Seven colors with Mahmoud Guinia, Moroccan musician master of Gnawa music. In 1996, his album Message from Home explores traditional Ghanaian music. He was also interested in Indian musicians and their traditional instruments. ” We are devastated to report that Pharoah Sanders has passed away. He died peacefully, surrounded by loving family and friends in Los Angeles,” his label Luaka Bop said in a statement.
Philippe Gault (with AFP)
