David Liebman

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1946 Liebman grew up playing a variety of instruments and studying jazz with the likes of Lennie Tristano, Joe Allard, and Charles Lloyd. Just after graduating from NYU with a degree in American history, he helped to found Free Life Communication, a jazz musicians' co-operative. He also joined Ten Wheel Drive, one of the early jazz fusion/rock groups in 1970. After about two years with them, he moved to the saxophone/flute position in a group led by Elvin Jones, the legendary Coltrane drummer. In 1973, his apprenticeship reached its zenith when Miles Davis invited Liebman to join his group. He stayed with Miles for almost 2 years.

His head constantly bubbling with new ideas, Lieb has led a number of groups, playing in a variety of styles. His first group, which he formed with Bob Moses in 1970, was called Open Sky Trio. In 1973, together with pianist Richard Beirach, he formed Lookout Farm, which toured the world, made several records, and garnered first place in Down Beat's 1976 International Critic's Poll in the category Group Most Deserving of Wider Recognition. In 1981, together with Beirach, George Mraz, and Al Foster, he formed a group called Quest. Quest reached its peak between 1984 and 1991, after the addition of bassist Ron McClure and drummer Billy Hart.

Since 1991, Lieb has been leading the The Dave Liebman Group, which currently features Vic Juris on guitar, Jamey Haddad on drums and Tony Marino on bass. Pursuing a very eclectic contemporary style, the band has toured Europe, Japan and Israel, and recorded seven CDs. In 1996, in a move to consolidate and focus his recording career, Liebman signed an exclusive recording contract with New York's Arkadia Jazz. New Vista, a studio recording with the The Dave Liebman Group and the great Brazilian percussionist Café, was the first fruit of this collaboration. In 1998 Arkadia released Liebman's live version of John Coltrane's Meditations, followed in 1999 by a CD with Pat Metheny, Billy Hart, and Cecil McBee entitled The Elements: Water. Finally, in 2001 Arkadia released Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In The Clouds, a critically lauded recording of Liebman's jazz approach to the arias of opera composer Giacomo Puccini.