American saxophonist Farah Sanders, one of the most creative figures in jazz, who embraced the influence of African and Indian music, died on Saturday at the age of 81, AFP and Agerpres reported.

He “passed away peacefully” in Los Angeles surrounded by family and loved ones, according to Luaka Bop’s label.

Pharoah Sanders has explored the saxophone to its tonal limits, drawing inspiration from Eastern, Indian and African traditions to transform his music into a mystical experience.

He is considered one of the creative successors of John Coltrane, his idol who died prematurely in 1967, for whom he signed several aggressive solos on the last album “Live in Japan”, released posthumously in 1973.

However, Sanders never achieved the popularity of Coltrane or Ornette Coleman, who considered him “probably the best tenor saxophonist in the world.”