Pharoah Sanders began his professional career playing tenor saxophone in Oakland, California. He moved to New York City in 1961 after playing with rhythm and blues bands. He received his nickname “Pharoah” from bandleader Sun Ra, with whom he was performing. After moving to New York, Sanders had been destitute: “He was often living on the streets, under stairs, where ever he could find to stay, his clothes in tatters. Sun Ra gave him a place to stay, bought him a new pair of green pants with yellow stripes (which Sanders hated but had to have), encouraged him to use the name ‘Pharoah’, and gradually worked him into the band.”
Sanders came to greater prominence playing with John Coltrane’s band, starting in 1965, as Coltrane began adopting the avant-garde jazz of Albert Ayler, Sun Ra and Cecil Taylor. Sanders first performed on Coltrane’s Ascension (recorded in June 1965), then on their dual-tenor recording Meditations (recorded in November 1965). After this Sanders joined Coltrane’s final quintet, usually performing very lengthy, dissonant solos. Coltrane’s later style was strongly influenced by Sanders.
Although Sanders’ voice developed differently from Coltrane, Sanders was strongly influenced by their collaboration. Sanders would also go on to produce much free jazz, modified from Coltrane’s solo-centric conception.
In the 1970s, Sanders pursued his own recordings and continued to work. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Sanders explored different musical modes including R’n’B (Love Will Find a Way), modal jazz, and hard bop.
Pharoah Sanders is currently touring with his quartet.
PHAROAH SANDERS QUARTET feat. JOEY DeFRANCESCO on November 4, 2013 20.30 at ‘Pallas’ Concert Hall Voukourestiou 5 Athens – Tickets: 20€, 25€, 30€, 35€, 40€, 45€, 50€ – The legendary saxophonist and Coltrane collaborator, Pharoah Sanders meets top organist, Joey Defrancesco – Pharoah Sanders , sax — Joey Defrancesco, Organ – Steve Cotter, guitar — Ramon Banda, drums –
More about Joey DeFransesco http://jazzonline.gr/en/articlesinterviews/musicians-in-town/item/1773-joey-defrancesco.html