David Sancious

David Sancious (born November 30, 1953) is an American musician. He was an early member of Bruce Springsteen's backing group, the E Street Band, and contributed to the first three Springsteen albums, and again on Human Touch, Tracks (1998), and Western Stars (2019). Sancious is a multi-instrumentalist but is best known as a keyboard player and guitarist. He left the E Street Band in 1974 to form his own band, Tone, and released several albums. He subsequently became a popular session and touring musician, most notably for Stanley Clarke, Narada Michael Walden, Zucchero Fornaciari, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Jack Bruce, and Sting among many others. In 2014, Sancious was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

Work with Bruce Springsteen Sancious began to learn classical piano at seven and by eleven he had taught himself guitar. He was only in his teens when he first became involved in the Asbury Park music scene. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he played in various bands that included Springsteen and future members of The E Street Band, as well as Southside Johnny and Bill Chinnock. These bands included Glory Road, Dr. Zoom & The Sonic Boom, The Bruce Springsteen Band and The Sundance Blues Band.

From 1970 until the spring of 1973, Sancious divided his time between his native New Jersey and Richmond, Virginia, where he worked at Alpha Studios as a studio musician doing jingles and sessions. While working in Virginia, he met fellow New Jerseyan Ernest Carter. During those years, Springsteen played numerous gigs in and around Richmond. In June 1972, Sancious played keyboards on Springsteen's debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. In July 1972, Sancious recorded some demos with Carter and E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent (who also divided his time between New Jersey and Virginia.) Producer/songwriter Wes Farrell owned the rights to these demos and in 1976 he released them under the title David Sancious, without Sancious's permission.

The E Street Band was named after the street where Sancious's mother lived. Springsteen began touring with the band in October 1972, but Sancious did not join the band full-time until June 1973.

From June 1973, Sancious began to tour regularly with the E Street Band. He added an extra dimension to the band's sound. Equally influenced by Mozart or Thelonious Monk, he would frequently use classical music or jazz during intros or instrumental breaks. Springsteen's second album, The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle, was a showcase for Sancious' talents. His most notable contributions include an organ solo on "Kitty's Back" and an evocative piano intro on "New York City Serenade". He is also credited with the string arrangement on the latter song, and even played soprano saxophone on "The E Street Shuffle" and was an important contributor to "Incident on 57th Street".

In June 2023, Sancious said that he is set to appear on a follow-up to Springsteen's 2022 album Only the Strong Survive and that Bruce has completed 18 songs for the album. Sancious said he expects to tour with Springsteen to support the album in 2024.

David Sancious and Tone In August 1974 Sancious and Carter left the E Street Band and formed their own band Tone with bassist Gerald Carboy. At various times the band would feature Gail Boggs, Brenda Madison, Patti Scialfa, Gayle Moran (from Return To Forever and The Mahavishnu Orchestra), former Brian Auger, and future Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood. Springsteen encouraged Sancious in his solo career and made sure music executives heard his demos, leading to a contract with Epic Records.

Tone's 1975 debut album Forest of Feelings was produced by Billy Cobham. Sancious' work with Tone was a radical departure from the music he played with Springsteen; Tone explored progressive rock, gospel chorus (Fade Away, Sound of Love), and instrumental jazz fusion and had more in common with Return to Forever than Sancious' former boss.

Another album, Transformation (The Speed of Love), followed in 1976, and a third album, Dance of the Age of Enlightenment, was recorded. However a dispute between Epic and Sancious' new label, Arista Records, over ownership rights meant it was shelved.

In 1982, Sancious recorded and toured with Jon Anderson of Yes. Jon's Animation (1982) album features David extensively. On Jon's Spring and Summer 1982 US Animation tour, David played piano and synthesizer on several Yes tunes as well as Jon Anderson tunes. Anderson included one of David's solo works in the set. "The Play and Display of the Heart" (track 3 on David Sancious & Tone's Transformation (The Speed of Love) album) was a regular showstopper. You can hear an entire Animation concert at Wolfgang's Vault

By 1986, Sancious was a member of Peter Gabriel's touring band and he played with the singer during the Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. This led to a mini-reunion with Springsteen and the E Street Band, with Sancious sitting in on several occasions throughout the tour. He also recorded some new sessions with Springsteen which were later released on Human Touch and Tracks.

Discography

With Bruce Springsteen

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973) Born to Run (1975) Human Touch (1992) Greatest Hits (1995) Tracks (1998) 18 Tracks (1998) The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003) Western Stars (2019)

David Sancious and Tone

Transformation (The Speed of Love) (1976) Dance of the Age of Enlightenment (1977) True Stories (1978)

David Sancious

Forest of Feelings (1975) David Sancious (1976) David Sancious – The Chelsea Demos (1977) (unauthorized bootleg) Just as I Thought (1979) The Bridge (1982, Elektra/Musician) Nine Piano Improvisations (2000) Cinema (2005) LIVE in the now (2007) Eyes Wide Open (2020)

With Jack Bruce and Friends

I've Always Wanted to Do This (1980)

With Santana Beyond Appearances (1985) – rhythm guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar. Co-writer of song "Brotherhood".

David Sancious / Zucchero

Snackbar Budapest (soundtrack) (1988)

With Eric Clapton

2001 Reptile tour Clapton Live at Budokan (2001) One More Car, One More Rider (2002)

With Stanley Clarke

Journey to Love (1975) School Days (1976) Live 1976–1977 (1976) Hideaway (1988) The Bass-ic Collection (1997) Guitar & Bass (2004) Trios (2004)

With France Gall

Live at the Olympia in Paris (1996) Concert Privé M6 (1997)

With Zucchero Fornaciari

Rispetto (1986) Blue's (1987) Oro Incenso & Birra (1989) Zucchero (1990) Live at the Kremlin (1991) Miserere (1992) Diamante (1994) Spirto DiVino (1995) The Best of Zucchero (1996) Shake (2001) Zucchero & Co (2004)

With Peter Gabriel

Passion (1989) Us (1992) Up (2002) Long Walk Home (2002) Hit (2003)

With Sting

The Soul Cages (1991) Ten Summoner's Tales (1993) Demolition Man live EP (1993)

With Jon Anderson

Animation (1982)

With Francis Dunnery

The Gulley Flats Boys (2006)

With Robbie Dupree Robbie Dupree with David Sancious (2003)