Influential contemporary jazz saxophonist David Sanborn says that on his next album, he might actually have the blues. After releasing 2003's Time Again and 2005's Closer, which both featured new versions of jazz classics, Sanborn says he's looking to do something new.

Asked about his next recording project, Sanborn said: "Well, I'm probably going to begin recording some time next year, early next year. I'm not sure which direction I'm gonna go in, but maybe kind of a blues direction. So, you know, try to reconnect it. Because I started out playing in rhythm and blues and blues bands, so I might kinda go that way. Different take, yeah."

Sanborn is currently in Japan performing a string of dates at the country's three Blue Note Clubs. He arrives in Tokyo for the first of seven shows there tonight (December 8th).