Pharoah and Bedria Sanders On the Coast of Italy

Pharoah and Bedria Sanders in late July on the coast of Italy, photographed by an unknown Italian photographer in the late seventies. From the private collection of Bedria Sanders.

This rare photograph was taken during a tour in Europe, probably in the summer of 1979. While she was married to Pharoah, Bedria often travelled with him across the country and overseas—helping book gigs and supporting his music. 

Bedria met Pharoah one weekend when she was visiting her brother in New York and they caught him playing at Slugs and sat in the back. A few years later, the two met again and eventually married. In many ways, the album Pharoah was very much a love letter to her. But not only that—she also played on it. 

Throughout his life, Pharoah frequently attributed pieces of music or even entire albums to his children and family, and the people he loved. A few months after this photo was taken, Pharoah went on to record Journey To The One, and named the final piece after her.

Does anyone recognize where they are? Bedria found this picture in her basement earlier this year, as we were deep in our research for The Harvest Time Project. She can’t remember who took it, or when or where it was, but maybe you might have an idea? Judging by other material we found, we believe it is from the summer of 1979 when the tour had reached Italy, possibly off the coast of the Ligurian Sea, or near Ravenna on the Adriatic Coast.

Pharoah is out September 15.