David Liebman & Friends
David Liebman, saxophonist
Bobby Avey, keys
Joe Michaels, bass
Phil Haynes, drums
8:30 p.m.,
February 1, 2006
Bucknell Hall – Free
DAVID LIEBMAN was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946. He began classical piano lessons at age nine and saxophone by age twelve. His interest in jazz was sparked by seeing John Coltrane perform live in New York City clubs such as Birdland and the Village Vanguard. Liebman pursued his jazz interest by studying with Joe Allard, Lennie Tristano, and Charles Lloyd. After earning a degree in American History from New York University, he began to devote himself full time to being a jazz artist.
In the early 70s, Liebman took a leading role in the New York “loft” jazz scene. After one year with Ten Wheel Drive, an early jazz fusion group, he secured the saxophone/flute position with Elvin Jones’s group (John Coltrane’s drummer).Within two years, Liebman reached the zenith of his apprenticeship when he was hired by Miles Davis. At the same time, he began exploring his own music, first in the Open Sky Trio with Bob Moses and then with pianist Richie Beirach in the group Lookout Farm. The latter group recorded for the ECM label and A&M Records while touring the U.S., Canada, India, Japan, and Europe.
In 1977, Liebman toured with pianist Chick Corea. The David Liebman Quintet started in 1978. By 1984, the quartet Quest solidified when Ron McClure and Billy Hart joined Beirach and Liebman. Quest recorded seven CDs, toured extensively, and presented workshops worldwide. Liebman’s current group, formed in 1991, includes guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino, and drummer Marko Marcinko.
Since 1973, Liebman has consistently placed among the top finalists in the Downbeat Critics’ Poll in the Soprano Saxophone category. He has been featured on nearly 300 recordings, of which he has been the leader or co-leader on nearly 100.Well over 200 of his original compositions have been recorded. His artistic output has ranged from straight ahead classic jazz to chamber music, from fusion to avant-garde. He is the author of Self Portrait Of A Jazz Artist, A Chromatic Approach To Jazz Harmony And Melody, Developing A Personal Saxophone Sound and other books. Teaching activities at universities and clinics have taken him around the world. Liebman has received awards including two NEA grants for composition and performance; an Honorary Doctorate from the Sibelius Acadamy of Finland; a 1998 Grammy nomination for Best Solo Performance; induction into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame in 2000; and a 2005 Artist Grant from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.
BOBBY AVEY received a scholarship after high school to attend Purchase Conservatory of Music.While there, he has studied with Dave Liebman, Hal Galper, Phil Markowitz, and Charles Blenzig. He won the Downbeat Student Music Awards for Original Composition. He has played with Jon Faddis in Manhattan and appeared at the 55 Bar with his own trio. Recent activities include fronting a quartet at the COTA jazz festival and recording an album with David Liebman.
JOE MICHAELS began his musical career as a guitarist in a garage band.When the band needed a bass player, he shifted focus and has not looked back. He has studied with Bill Dixon, Paul Bley, and David Liebman. He attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphila and now lives in Kingston, PA. He appeared at the 2002 JVC Jazz Festival in NYC. In addition to performances with Liebman and friends, he has played with Bill Goodwin, Tom Guarna, Jerry Harris, Nelson Hill, Joe Hunt,Marko Marcinko, Sam Morrison, Rich Perry, Jim Ridl, Jay Rosen, and Tim Warfield. Michaels has appeared on two releases with guitarist Andy Cheshire: Pavane Pour Une Infante Difunte and The Four Ages of Bob.
PHIL HAYNES made his recording debut with the Paul Smoker Trio’s QB, which was named the Number One Jazz Album of 1985 in Coda Magazine. Haynes moved to New York in 1983 after graduating from Coe College. He has been featured on over 40 releases by American and European record companies. Critics have compared Haynes’ drumming to the masters Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, and Elvin Jones, and his compositions to Ives, Mingus, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. He has 10 recordings as a leader including Continuum with violinist Mark Feldman, the quintet Four Horns & What?, A Couch in Brooklyn with pianist Micu Narinsky, The Hammond Insurgency with organist Jeff Palmer, Free Country with cellist Hank Roberts, and the new solo percussion recording Sanctuary.
