David Bowie

(1947–)

Brixton, London, United Kingdom

Brixton-born rock innovator who consistently sought out jazz musicians across his genre-shifting career. Young Americans (1975) featured David Sanborn and Luther Vandross. His final album Blackstar (2016) recruited NYC jazz musicians Mark Guiliana, Donny McCaslin, Tim Lefebvre, and Ben Monder after Bowie saw them play at 55 Bar in Greenwich Village. Passed away January 2016.

The band on David BowieDavid Bowieデヴィッド・ボウイ's final album Blackstar (2016) were all NYC jazz musicians. Bowie saw Donny McCaslinDonny McCaslinドニー・マッキャスリン's quartet at the 55 Bar in Greenwich Village on composer Maria Schneider's recommendation and hired the entire group. Drummer Mark GuilianaMark Guilianaマーク・ジュリアナ, also known for his duo with Brad Mehldau, played on every track. The album was released on Bowie's 69th birthday; he died two days later. It won five Grammys.

— Track by Track: Mark Guiliana on David Bowie's Blackstar, Modern Drummer, 2016

Donny McCaslin

Mark Guiliana

David SanbornDavid Sanbornデイヴィッド・サンボーン played alto saxophone on David BowieDavid Bowieデヴィッド・ボウイ's Young Americans (1975), effectively replacing lead guitar — his sax is all over the record. In the same sessions, a then-unknown Luther Vandross sang backing vocals.

— David Sanborn's Adventures Beyond the Realm of Jazz

David Sanborn