Sanborn’s sax appeal wide-ranging: Jazzman has played with everyone from Miles Davis to Bruce Springsteen

Not many jazz heroes have such a wide-ranging resume:

“Appeared with Albert King and Little Milton – while still in high school.

“Played Woodstock.

“Performed with Miles Davis and Gil Evans.

“Contributed legendary solos to hits by the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder.

Yet David Sanborn, who arrives at the Bing Crosby Theater tonight, is one of those rare jazzmen who have made their mark in pop culture as well as the more esoteric jazz culture.

Sanborn is one of the best-known alto saxophonists of the last 40 years, in large part because of his contributions to some of the biggest albums of the era, including the Eagles’ “The Long Run,” Billy Joel’s “An Innocent Man” and Stevie Wonder’s “Talking Book.”

That sax solo on David Bowie’s “Young Americans”? That’s Sanborn.

The baritone sax on Bruce Springsteen’s “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”? Sanborn again.

Yet he is also respected as a solo artist for his own 22 albums, including four Grammy winners. Tonight he’ll be performing his brand of contemporary jazz – often danceable and with R&B overtones – with his own combo.

Sanborn grew up in St. Louis, influenced heavily by the Chicago bluesmen who came through the city.

While still in his 20s, a friend invited him to come to San Francisco to sit in on recording sessions with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was with Butterfield for the next five years, including Woodstock.

He became an in-demand session player, appearing with Wonder and the Rolling Stones. His solo career was launched with the 1975 album “Taking Off.”

Sanborn has scored a number of No. 1 albums on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, including “Backstreet,” “Straight to the Heart,” “Close-Up,” “Another Hand,” “Upfront” and “Pearls.”

He is also known for being the host of “Night Music,” a 1988-89 TV show that brought together musicians from widely different fields (such as country singer Conway Twitty and the avant-garde rock band the Residents) to perform together.