Dr. Alphonso Sanders is a highly acclaimed saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator deeply rooted in the blues and jazz traditions of the Mississippi Delta. Originally from Georgia, Sanders mastered the saxophone, trumpet, flute, and harmonica before earning his doctorate in music from the University of Mississippi. A dedicated academic and preservationist, he served as the first executive director of the Delta Music Institute at Delta State University and later became the chairman of the fine arts department at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). At MVSU, he directs the B.B. King Recording Studio, where he has been instrumental in archiving the works of Delta musicians and establishing the university's annual B.B. King Day.
As a working musician, Sanders performs extensively across regional, national, and international stages. His impressive resume includes appearances at prestigious events such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Lucerne Blues Festival, sharing the stage with renowned artists including Cassandra Wilson, Mulgrew Miller, and Bobby Rush. His musicianship has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2010 Mississippi Arts Commission Folk Arts Fellowship and the 2013 Blues Musician of the Year award from the Delta Blues Society. Through his live performances and recorded projects like his 2008 solo album Mississippi Influences and his 2010 collaboration Twice As Nice, Sanders remains a vital force in keeping the blues and jazz traditions alive.
Tap on any album for track list.
