David Sanborn

The adult contemporary star, who became a reluctant giant of smooth jazz in the 1980s, died on Sunday after a six-year battle with prostate cancer. He said the St. Louis scene he grew up in shaped his style.

Jazz great David Sanborn, a Kirkwood native, got his start playing teen hangouts and clubs around St. Louis. Jazz St. Louis will honor him with its first lifetime achievement award on Thursday.