Pharoah Sanders: The Spiritual Seeker

Pharoah Sanders took the innovations of John Coltrane and pushed them into the realm of the spiritual. His use of multiphonics, overblowing, and non-Western scales created a sound that was less about notes and more about energy and vibration.

Sanders joined John Coltrane's group in 1965, during Coltrane's most experimental period. His playing on albums like 'Ascension' and 'Meditations' showed a musician willing to push the boundaries of what was acceptable on the saxophone.

His 1969 masterpiece 'Karma' featured the nearly 30-minute track 'The Creator Has a Master Plan'. It became an anthem for the 'spiritual jazz' movement, blending avant-garde saxophone with gospel-inflected vocals and driving, modal grooves.

Sanders's approach to sound and texture has influenced a wide range of artists, from Prince to contemporary electronic producers, proving that his sonic explorations were decades ahead of their time.