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David Friedman
Releases:
Genre: Jazz
Web:
http://www.david-friedman.de
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/davidfriedmanjazz
E-Mail:
davidfriedman@snafu.de
Booking:
http://www.shoestring-jazz.de
Biography
David Friedman, internationally renowned vibraphonist, marimbist, composer and
jazz educator, has his own musical message, born of fascinatingly diverse musical
influences. Few jazz musicians can claim as broad a spectrum of performing and
recording experience, with such varied musical personalities as Leonard Bernstein,
Luciano Berio, Bobby McFerrin, Wayne Shorter and Yoko Ono. The list doesn`t stop
there. Friedman has been heard either live or on recordings with, among others,
Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, Johnny Griffin, Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Carter and
John Scofield. His compositions are featured on Chet Baker`s award winning Enja
release, Peace, with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Joe Chambers. Friedman
is also the featured soloist on this recording.
In 1977, Friedman co-founded the unique vibe-marimba quartet, Double Image,
which was nominated for a german "Grammy". Their album, Double Image,
was just re-released as a special edition by Enja Records.
Friedman's Enja release Shades of Change, with pianist Gerry Allen, bassist
Anthony Cox and drummer Ronnie Burrage, was voted by Downbeat Magazine as "One of
the year`s best 20 CD". Friedman`s trio playing with star drummer Daniel
Humair and bassist J.F. Jenny-Clarke, documented on their 1992 live release
Ternaire, showcases modern, interactive jazz improvisation, ranging from an
agressive driving
swing to tender lyricism.
As a leader in percussion and jazz education, David Friedman heads the Jazz
department at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin, Germany. As Professor
of Jazz studies since 1989. He is also the author of Mirror From Another,
Warners Bros. Publications,
a collection of pedagogical etudes for the vibraphone and Vibraphone Technique,
Dampening and Pedaling, Berklee Press Publications, distributed by Hal
Leonard. Mallet players and percussionists worldwide consider this work to
be the most
important book on the art of phrasing for the vibraphone. Friedman is a devoted
teacher and an inspiration to his students, while still an active performer
and composer.
Friedman's project with bandoneonist Dino Saluzzi, Astor Piazzola's heir to
modern Tango, is a synthesis of American jazz and ethnic improvisation, Gifted
bassist,
Anthony Cox, completes the trio. This1996 CD release, Rios, on Intuition
Records, has been called "a true work of art" by the Chicago Tribune.
Perhaps the most unique of Friedman`s accomplishments to date is a solo mallet
recording, utilizing multiple vibe and marimba overdubs, creating richly textured
soundscapes. This is the first recording of its kind ever done by a mallet
performer and is aptly entitled, Air Sculpture, on Traumton Records.
Jazz Friends Review writes: "This music is made of the same fabric dreams are made of.
This daring recording is riveting." Germany's Die Woche calls 'Air Sculpture' "a
humble masterpiece!".
Friedman's project Other Worlds is a trio with an instrumentation and sound
all its own, featuring the exciting french accordianist Jean Louis Matinier
and the
brilliant american bass virtuoso Anthony Cox. Their new CD 'Other Worlds',
was recorded in November 1996 for Intuition Records and released in December
1997.
It's a spellbinding musical journey, featuring original compositions and improvisational
dialogues of incredible depth and beauty. Jazzthetik remarks: "You feel
your ears being drawn to the speakers as if by magic! Other Worlds is a true
musical adventure".
In addition, Friedman still finds time for special projects, such as being the
featured guest soloist with the NDR Big Band in a program of his original compositions.
He also still tours and records regularly with Double Image, the highly original,
ground breaking mallet duo, with his partner of 20 years, Dave Samuels, Sponsored
by Yamaha, the duo is often featured at Percussive Arts Society international
events and colleges and universities throughout the world.
In the summer of 2002, Friedman invited vocal virtuoso Bobby McFerrin to help
celebrate the official 10th anniversary of the jazz department of the University
of the Arts. One of the most exciting moments of this sold out concert event
was a spontaneous duo with Friedman and McFerrin.
In 2003 Friedman formed his new Trio ”Tambour“, with star german
saxophonist, Peter Weniger, and bassist, Pepe Berns.The new CD, Earfood,
on Skip records, was released in January 2004.
Whether playing solo,with is new trio, Tambour, duo with Keiko Abe or Dave
Samuels,David Friedman breathes long, fluid, angular phrases into his solos,
moving well beyond
his instrument‘s technical limitations. His compositions are the language
of harmonic and rhythmic richness with just a touch of irony. His goal is,
after all, to communicate.
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