I wanted to interview David Sanborn after reading his Wikipedia page. His discography starts with a list of his 22 albums — certainly prolific but not newsworthy.

Then begins his resume of work as “sideman,” a new term for me that refers to someone who works with another musician or group but not as a regular member. Sanborn has worked with some of the most celebrated musicians, including David Bowie, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Sting, Carly Simon, Eric Clapton, and the list goes on.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” — that thunderous sax on that iconic rock song — oh yeah, that was David Sanborn.

Six Grammy Awards, eight gold and one platinum albums, and he’s recorded many television show theme songs, most notably the one for “L. A. Law.”

You can tell I was impressed at this point.

Then the movie soundtracks like the “Lethal Weapon” films and television performances like “Saturday Night Live” as a regular band member and many years as a regular guest member of Paul Shafer’s band on “The David Letterman Show” in the 90s.

This guy sounded like someone worth speaking with. So I accepted the offer from the publicist to chat on the phone.

Several days later, I received a text message “Can you speak with David Sanborn . . . preferably within the next half hour.”

I said yes and set up my laptop and recorder in my car, and he called several minutes later and greeted me with his soft, low-toned voice.

First, he did not display one ounce of attitude or ego. For all his fame, experience and success, he was a genuinely lovely person to get to know.

I started with the fundamental question of how he became so successful with so many collaborations withso many legendary musicians. “I make a point of picking great musicians that are at the top of their game,” was his simple answer.

“After I did that a few times, I kept getting calls for more work, and that has been my career for a long time, I guess.”

“They heard something in my playing that they thought would work well with what they were doing at the time,” summarized Sanborn about many of the small and big-name acts he played with over five decades.

I think he was being very modest with that answer. When great musicians feel the need for a saxophone in their music, they can call a lot of talented players. Sanborn is at the top of a short list of the best sax players ever.

Born in Tampa, he was raised in St. Louis, where he suffered from polio for eight years. His doctor recommended the saxophone because it would exercise his lungs. We didn’t discuss much about his personal life, but he spent a lot of time living in New York City, where he still has an apartment, but his wife and two chihuahuas live in the countryside more these days.

We discussed his upcoming show in Pompano Beach. “I try to pick music to play that is appropriate for the audience and venue . I try to find music that would fit. I do not spend a lot of time analyzing why people come to see me play, but I’m grateful they do.”

I pushed a little for him to explain why my readers who are unfamiliar with him, should consider attending his show on the beach in January.

“My wish is that they would be pleasantly surprised. When I see a performance, I want to be surprised. I like to hear something new or in a new way. I would hope they will hear the passion in how I and the band I’ve assembled play for audiences.”

I had time for one last question, so I went for the “Surely you must have a good story to share after so many years performing with literally some of the biggest names in music, television and movies.

He did not disappoint me with his answer, but I can only share a quick overview.

“In 1972, The Rolling Stones asked me to tour with them. That was a huge tour with an insane number of fans at every tour venue. Because of the crowds, all of us went from our guarded floor of the hotel to the limos or buses, then to the stadium, the back on the bus, then to the airport — day after day, week after week.”

He described the wild, intense and surreal world of life on the road with one of the biggest bands ever at the height of their popularity. I promised I would not repeat several of the things he told me.

I do not think his performance in Pompano Beach in January will be quite the same as a Stones concert. Still, I think I will appreciate listening to and watching his performance, knowing that I am watching one of our country’s finest artists of his kind.