DAVID LIEBMAN . . . in brief

As a teenager, when he first caught sight (and sound) of John Coltrane playing at New York's famous Birdland Club, David Liebman fell instantly in love with jazz. As a virtuoso on the soprano sax, and an innovative composer, Lieb's attachment to jazz has always been something more than musical. The spirit behind the music as well as the community of musicians and listeners all figure into his life in jazz.

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. In 1991 he founded his current ensemble, the David Liebman Group.

When speaking of David Liebman it is impossible to overlook his faithful companion and the instrument of his passion -- the soprano sax. Though he began his career playing all manner of horns, he decided at the end of the 70s to dedicate himself exclusively to the soprano sax. Appreciative critics and fans have consistently listed him among the top five soprano saxophonists in the world. A number of European orchestras and chamber ensembles, with whom he has played and recorded, have commissioned works especially designed to capture his unique style of playing.

Lieb's total commitment to jazz is manifest in the creation in 1989 of the International Association of Schools of Jazz(IASJ), an organization with members in 40 different countries, dedicated to connecting jazz teachers and students. His own erudition and talents as a teacher have made him much in demand at workshops and clinics around the world. On a regular basis, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which has honored him with grants for composition and performance, awards grants to musicians who wish to study with him.

And yet, even with all his organizational and pedagogical efforts, Lieb's first love remains the music itself. In 1996 he signed an exclusive recording agreement with New York's Arkadia Jazz, signaling his intention to focus his energies on making music. Together with the acclaimed David Liebman Group, he has recorded the album New Vista, which came out in mid-1997. A recording of John Coltrane's ethereal masterpiece, "Meditation Suite" is already in the can, as is a joint project with guitarist Pat Metheny, The Elements: Water. One of the jazz world's most innovative and dedicated citizens, Liebman does not have to wrestle with the temptation to rest on his laurels -- the thought has never occurred to him.