“We are devastated to learn that Pharoah Sanders has passed away,” Luaka Bop wrote. on Twitter. “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.”
In an email to CNN, Sanders’ rep Anna Sala confirmed the musician’s death and called it a “huge loss to the music world.”
“His work has influenced many generations of artists,” Sala said.
Sanders’ extensive discography includes more than 30 albums dating back to 1965, according to his website.
Born in Arkansas, the prolific musician collaborated with jazz legend John Coltrane throughout the 1960s. In 1988, Sanders won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group for his work on “Blues for Coltrane – A Tribute to John Coltrane”.
His musical technique was distinguished by his willingness to innovate and experiment with the saxophone and his transcendent style, sometimes called “spiritual jazz”.
British electronic producer Floating Points was among those who took to social media on Saturday to remember Sanders’ life on Saturday.
The artist, who collaborated with Sanders on a 2021 collaborative studio album titled “Promises,” shared a photo of him and Sanders on Twitter.
“My beautiful friend passed away this morning,” Floating Points wrote. “I am so lucky to have known this man, and we are all blessed to have his art with us forever. Thank you Pharoah.”