Sanders rose to fame in the 1960s for his collaboration with Sun Ra, and for joining innovator John Coltrane’s band. He developed into a key figure in spiritual jazz and continued this after John’s death in 1967 with, among others, his wife Alice Coltrane, pianist and harpist.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Pharoah Sanders has passed away. He passed away peacefully in front of his beloved relatives and friends in Los Angeles,” the record company said in a statement.