Influential Jazz Saxophonist, Pharaoh Sanders, Dies at 81

Wojciech Soporek, via Wikimedia Commons

Influential jazz saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders, one of the leaders in the spiritual jazz movement along with the genre's creator —his mentor and his frequent collaborator John Coltrane— died Saturday at the age of 81.

Luaka Bop, the record label that released his final album "Promises" in 2021, announced his death on Twitter.

"We are devastated to share that Pharoah Sanders has passed away," the label wrote. "He died peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends in Los Angeles earlier this morning. Always and forever the most beautiful human being, may he rest in peace."

There was no cause of death given for Sanders. His manager, Anna Sala, confirmed Sander's passing in an email to CNN and called it "a huge loss for the music world."

We are devastated to share that Pharoah Sanders has passed away. He died peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends in Los Angeles earlier this morning. Always and forever the most beautiful human being, may he rest in peace. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pddaztyTLi

— Luaka Bop (@LuakaBop) September 24, 2022

"His work influenced many generations of artists," Sala said.

Born Farrell Sanders in Little Rock, Arkansas, the artist had a musical upbringing but did not begin playing the saxophone until high school. Following his graduation in 1959, he started his professional career in Oakland, California, before finding his way to New York City.

There Sanders would initially experience bouts of homelessness intermingled with opportunity as he found like minds and began to push the scope of what it meant to be a saxophonist. Legendary jazz composer Sun Ra, an early collaborator who also sheltered him, encouraged him to use the name Pharoah.

By 1965 he had become a member of Coltrane's band. Together the saxophonists were at the forefront of the spiritual jazz movement, making music focusing on transcendence and spirituality. They continued to work together until Coltrane's untimely death in 1967.

Over 20 years later, in 1988, Sander's playing on jazz pianist McCoy Tyne's 1987 album "Blues for Coltrane: A Tribute to John Coltrane" earned him a Grammy (Best Jazz Instrumental Performance Group).

During his long and impactful solo career, beginning with his 1964 debut "Pharoah's First," Sanders released over 30 albums. His most notable piece, "The Creator Has a Master Plan," comes from his most critically acclaimed effort, 1969's "Karma."

The 32-minute-long free-jazz work evokes Coltrane's masterpiece "A Love Supreme," and it has been called the spiritual successor to the 1964 recording.

His final release, "Promises," a collaborative album with British electronic producer Floating Points and the London Symphony Orchestra, has been widely lauded by critics. Mark Richardson of Pitchfork called it a "clear late-career masterpiece" for Sanders.

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 pic.twitter.com/6NdATGZve1

— floating points (@floatingpoints) September 24, 2022

Points, whose real name is Sam Shepherd, shared a touching tribute to his former colleague on Twitter, with a picture of the duo together.

"My beautiful friend passed away this morning," he wrote. "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."

Platinum Rapper, Fat Joe, Inducted Into White Castle Hall of Fame

Fat Joe (middle) was recently inducted into the White Castle Craver's Hall of Fame.

Fat Joe is officially a Hall of Famer.

No, the Bronx-born rapper and actor won’t be joining Eminem this fall when he is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this fall along with other luminaries from across the music industry.

He has been, however, inducted into White Castle's Cravers Hall of Fame as a Craver in Extremis.

The legendary burger chain, known for its square hamburger sliders, held a surprise ceremony in Joe’s native New York borough on Thursday.

White Castle vice president Jamie Richardson presented the rapper with a plaque commemorating his induction and said the company was proud to be associated with him.

"The Cravers Hall of Fame honors our loyal fans who represent the best of White Castle, and Fat Joe embodies that lifelong dedication," said Richardson. "We share the same values, including family, humility and commitment to the community. We're grateful to have someone such as Fat Joe as an ambassador."

The Cravers Hall of Fame is an exclusive club that White Castle created in 2001 to recognize its most zealous fans, who are affectionately referred to as Cravers.

Joe, who also received word that a booth in the Castle is now known as the "Fat Joe Lean Back Booth," a nod to his 2004 classic song and in his honor, said he appreciated the love from one of his favorite franchises.

"If you're from the Bronx like I'm from the Bronx, the White Castle in my neighborhood was a flagship location,” he said during the ceremony. “I've been coming to White Castle with my aunts, uncles, mother and father, wife and my kids, and that's what it is all about."

The Grammy-nominated artist said his go-to meal at White Castle is a Double Cheese Slider, onion rings and clam strips.

This is just the latest collaboration between Joe and the company. Earlier this year they teamed up to introduce the Spicy Joe Slider and Sloppy Fries to celebrate JOE-nuary as a month dedicated to all things Joe.

Questlove Executive Producing Documentary on Legendary Detroit Music Producer J Dilla

Photo Courtesy Brian "B+" Cross

After winning an Oscar for his directorial debut earlier this year at the 94th Academy Awards, Questlove is finally ready to dabble in film again.

This time the roots drummer — whose hit Hulu film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival "Summer of Soul" was named Best Documentary Feature — won't be behind the camera.

His production company Two One Five Entertainment announced he will serve as an executive producer on a documentary about legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla.

"Dilla Time," which is based on Dan Charnas' book "Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm," promises to share new insights into one of the art form's most influential and mysterious figureheads.

For Questlove, who once called Dilla “the music god that music gods and music experts and music lovers worship,” it is a labor of love.

Michael Jackson & Prince are neck in neck....but man my TRUE heartbreak? #JDilla https://t.co/DBMDFb5Tn2

— Dr. Love (@questlove) December 17, 2020

“Explaining musical genius is my mission,” he said in a statement. “To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true. Not just on me, but on an entire generation of musicians that everyone knows and loves. J Dilla was our teacher. And what he taught us was how to feel rhythm in a way we had never felt before. I’m so honored to be a part of bringing his story to the world through this documentary.”

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson just won an Oscar and dedicated it to marginalized communities.

"In 2022, this is not just a 1969 story about marginalized people of Harlem." pic.twitter.com/NKq4Z698o7

— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 28, 2022

The documentary will be part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation, according to the announcement. It will also examine the impact the Detroit native had on modern pop music through his innovative drum machine work.

Dilla collaborated with some of hip-hop's most lauded acts before his death at the age of 32 from a rare blood disease: including Questlove, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Erykah Badu, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few, as well as major producers such as Ye, Dr. Dre and Pharrell.