Sanborn (2007 film)

Sanborn is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy musical film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The 9th film from the studio, it features alto saxophonist David Sanborn in the lead role. The film was directed by John Lasseter, co-directed by Lee Unkrich, and produced by Darla K. Anderson from a screenplay written by Andrew Stanton. The film takes place at the height of Sanborn's popularity during the mid-1980s. One day, David's record label books him a concert, but when someone suddenly steals his saxophone, he loses some of his talent. To increase his talent once again, David must team up with Marcus Miller and his friends to get his saxophone and his talent back.

Plans for the story were conceived in 2004 following the release of The Incredibles. Co-director Unkrich brought his collection of old records to Pixar and presented them to John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft, Pete Docter, and the others. When listening to one of David Sanborn's albums for the first time, it captured the attention of Lasseter and his colleagues, who immediately decided to turn the alto saxophonist into an animated film. Sanborn was subsequently invited to Pixar, and then brought on to voice the title character and compose the film score. Some songs from the film were released as an album by Sanborn's former label, Warner Bros. Records.

Sanborn premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on November 16, 2007, and went into general release three weeks later on December 7. The film received mostly positive reviews from those who commended Sanborn's return to composing film score. The film grossed $619.2 million worldwide against production costs of $175 million, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which it ultimately lost to Ratatouille, Pixar's previous film.

Plot
In Kirkwood, Missouri, a young David Sanborn receives a saxophone from his parents for his birthday. As he grows up, he steadily gains interest in playing the sax by playing the music sheets provided to him by his mother.

Cast

 * David Sanborn as the titular alto saxophonist.
 * Marcus Miller as himself.
 * John Ratzenberger as David Sanborn's father.
 * Elie Docter as a young David Sanborn.

Production
Prior to his involvement in Sanborn, David Sanborn was involved in the soundtrack of the 1987 Warner Bros. film, Lethal Weapon. He played the alto saxophone on the majority of the tracks. Sanborn also contributed to the score of the 1980 film American Gigolo with "The Seduction", which was written by Giorgio Moroder, and was featured on his 1980 album Hideaway.

Marketing
The first teaser trailer for Sanborn was released on February 3, 2006, and was shown in front of Ice Age: The Meltdown and Cars on the days of their respective releases. By error, the film played before theatrical showings of Slither on March 31, 2006, despite relegations. The first theatrical trailer, shown before Meet the Robinsons and Shrek the Third, was released on March 7, 2007. The second theatrical trailer was released on April 13, 2007 and was played during a break of Sesame Street on the Disney Channel. It was later screened with Surf's Up and Ratatouille.