JAZZ GREAT PHAROAH SANDERS CELEBRATES turning 80 with a virtual concert this coming Tuesday, October 13. The broadcast starts at 7pm, wherever you are in the world.
The Pharoah Sanders 80th Birthday Concert: Another Trip Around the Sun was filmed at Los Angeles’ Zebulon venue on September 23 – another auspicious birthday, that of Sanders’ one-time mentor and bandleader, John Coltrane. Sanders is accompanied by his longtime friend and collaborator, tenorist Azar Lawrence, and an ace band including John Beasley on keys, Tony Austin on drums, Sekou Bunch on bass, Tiffany Austin on vocals and Munyungo Jackson on percussion. Spiritual vibes will be in the area.
You can watch a trailer for the event here and buy tickets here https://dice.fm/artist/pharoah-sanders-l6ew. Look forward to an in-depth encounter with the great man in an upcoming MOJO magazine.
In related news, MOJO-tipped, Mercury-nominated UK jazz collective SEED Ensemble are to present an evening of music in tribute to Pharoah Sanders at London’s Barbican venue on Saturday, November 14 at 8pm. SEED Ensemble is led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi and the 10-piece line-up features some of London’s most exciting and innovative young jazz musicians, including trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey (Kokoroko) and guitarist Shirley Tetteh (Maisha). Tickets cost £20 to attend in person (Covid willing) and £12.50 to access the live stream, plus booking fees. The concert is co-produced by the Barbican and Serious in association with the EFG London Jazz Festival.