As much as some jazz snobs like to disparage smooth, crossover, and pop forms of jazz, saxophonist David Sanborn remains a household-name representative of those genres for three decades running without having sold his soul. With his enduringly robust tone, Sanborn stands as a testament to the fact that you dont have to play like Kenny G in order to resonate with listeners on a wide scale. In fact, Sanborn has not only shown dexterity (and integrity) in his ability to play in blues, R&B, pop, and rock settings (as his numerous sideman credits with high-profile acts like Paul Butterfield, David Bowie, and Stevie Wonder demonstrate), but he has also at various points in his career proven that he still has an artistic hunger to throw curveballs at his audience. Case in point: Sanborns latest album, Here & Gone, his spirited homage to Ray Charles saxophonist and arranger Hank Crawford. All ages.
June 2-7, 8 p.m., 2009
