The blog of a Leslie Wong
The first time I saw Pharoah Sanders, he was performing live at Seventh Avenue South, the Brecker brothers’ jazz club in Greenwich Village. That was probably 40 years ago.
I’ve pretty much gone to see him every chance I had in New York Jazz clubs, probably at Sweet Basil, Fat Tuesday’s, the Blue Note, Lush Life, the Village Vanguard, the Village Gate, Seventh Avenue South, Iridium, et al and lately at Yoshi’s in Oakland and SF Jazz.
One of my favorite pianists, John Hicks, died May 10th. I was fortunate to see him play frequently at Bradley’s and other clubs around New York. I remember first seeing him play in Betty Carter’s band. He was spiritual when he played with Pharoah Sanders. I always went to see him when he played in town. His music brought joy to my life.
Stanley Crouch has the best remembrance of him in the New York Daily News. All About Jazz has an obituary.