Tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders was a seminal figure in the world of spiritual jazz, crafting emotionally charged and passionate music for over six decades. Rising to prominence in the mid-'60s playing alongside John Coltrane, Sanders incorporated elements of world music and vocalizations into his chaotic yet poetic style, appealing to a wide range of audiences with albums like Karma and Black Unity. Despite a slowdown in output in the new millennium, Sanders continued performing and recording, collaborating with artists like Floating Points and the London Symphony Orchestra on his acclaimed 2021 album Promises, which would be his final release before his passing in 2022 at the age of 81.

Born Ferrell Sanders in 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sanders honed his craft playing with blues greats before moving to New York in 1961 to pursue his musical career. His association with John Coltrane led to groundbreaking recordings with the Coltrane group, marking a departure from traditional jazz concepts. Sanders went on to lead his own ensembles, releasing a series of influential albums on labels like Impulse and Theresa, showcasing his versatility in various musical contexts. Recognized with prestigious awards like the NEA Jazz Master honor, Sanders' legacy as a pioneering force in jazz music endures through his innovative recordings and collaborations.