30 July 1945
born in Tampa, Florida and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Doesn't come from a musical background.

1945-1956
had polio when 3, spent some time in an iron lung and was adviced to pick up an wind instrument as part of the therapy. He chose the saxophone.

1957 - 1962
backed up Albert King, played with Gil Evans in local clubs. Decided to become a musican at the age of 18.

1967-1966
studied music at the Northwestern University, additional studies at the University of Iowa. Got married (child: Jonathan Sanborn)

1967-1971
moved to San Francisco, joint the Paul Butterfield Band and recorded with them. Appeared at the Woodstock Festival

1972-1974
seperated from his wife. Played with Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, The Brecker Brothers, Gil Evans

1975-1979
release of his first solo album Taking Off (1975), followed by three other albums

1980-1987
breakthrough album Hideaway (1980), Grammy Winning Yoyeur (1981), first acting role in the Italien movie Stella Sulla Citta

1988-1991
Grammy Winning Double Vision with Bob James, TV show Night Music with Jools Holland, radio show, cameo in Scrooge

1992-1997
got married to jazz jounalist Rikke Loyd, changed labels to Elektra Records, jazzy Another Hand

1997-1998
toured in Europe as part of the Legends with Clapton, Gadd, Miller, Sample. Release of Songs From The Night Before, hosted the TV show After New Years Eve

1999-2001
hosted another After New Years Eve, release of the Grammy Winning album Inside. Extensive touring. Left Electra and signed with the Verve Music Group. Seperated from his second wife.