Performances from 1994-2007
Price: $20.00
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This 2 DVD presentation follows Lieb through one energy packed day in 2004 at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Camps at the University of Louisville. He lectures on a variety of subjects including how to practice and the use of saxophone expressive techniques, interspersed with his always unique interpretations of jazz classics backed by an all star rhythm section of David Hazeltine, Rufus Reid, Steve Davis and John Riley. David's philosophy is straight forward and comes from the heart backed by years of professional experience.
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This tape provides a detailed description of this process encompassing elements of ear training, notational devices, instrumental technique and musical analysis. Topics covered include the overall concepts and benefits of transcribing, saturated listeni ng, vocalizing the solo, playing along with the recording, suggested methods of analysis, exercises to expand and individualize the material, categorizing and varying ii-V lines, choosing a solo to work on and more. The emphasis is upon using transcripti on as a tool towards finding one's own individual voice.
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DVD Running time 56 Minutes for all levels
In jazz the concept of swing if often alluded to, but rarely described in details. On this video, noted saxophonist and educator David Liebman discusses some basics of jazz rhythm as the phrasing of eighth notes and how to practice them. Also covered are subtle aspects like playing on the top and bottom of the beat as well as metric modulation and more.
Price $29.95
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This is a video which details the process of playing the saxophone with clear descriptions of the exact mechanisms involved in sound production. Including exercises and demonstrations, it is meant for all styles of saxophone playing.
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Public workshop conducted at Roberto's Woodwind Shop in New York(2007) with one selection played by Dave Liebman Group
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This book should be seen as a method to help the artist to develop his or her own way when trying to improvise chromatically. Through the concepts and examples offered, the improviser should be able to use this material alongside already familiar tonal ideas. Specifically, the book serves as a guide for organizing chromaticism into a coherent musical statement meant to satisfy both the intellectual and emotional needs of artistic creation. The reader will be introduced to more than one way of conceiving chromatic lines and harmonies. There is nothing theoretically complex or new in the text, it is the organization of the material as well as many musical examples and transcriptions (Bach, Scriabin, Coltrane, Shorter, Hancock, Beirach, Liebman plus others) which should serve to inspire musicians to expand their usual diatonic vocabulary. This book also provides insight into the style of playing that David Liebman is known for. In addition the book contains 100 assorted solo lines and 100 chord voicings.
"To me this book is one of the most fascinating and illuminating books ever written on the subject of improvisation. The first day after I got it I practiced with it for about six hours straight. I love the way it just sort of opens up your mind to look at harmony in such varied ways. All of the musical examples are stimulating, and Dave's essay on related topics are as elegant and insightful as anything I've ever read about improvised music. For musicians looking to expand their harmonic and melodic vocabularies, this is the book! Congratulations!" (Pat Metheny)
Price: Book $25.00 CD $14.95 Book with CD $39.95
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HOW TO APPROACH STANDARDS CHROMATICALLY: TECHNIQUES OF SUPERIMPOSITION - Book/CD
Using established standard songs from previous Aebersold Play-Alongs, Lieb
uses one superimposition technique per tune as described in his Chromatic
Approach to Jazz Melody and Harmony to demonstrate how common progressions
can be interpreted in a chromatic manner. Several transcriptions of the solos
are included, done by Matt Vashlishan, as well as a CD with all of Lieb's solos.
Price: $19.95
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(2nd edition)
For All Musicians and Jazz Listeners
This book focuses on the process of being a jazz artist. Written from the creator's perspective, the book covers subjects that jazz musicians frequently discuss amongst themselves including creating the music as well as insightful observations on the jazz scene itself. Liebman meticulously discusses soloing, the role of the sideman, the recording studio, leading a group, practicing, as well as other related topics.
Price: $19.95
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Here is a masterful collection of articles and papers David has written over the years summarizing thoughts on various topics related to jazz and education. Each article is a worthy testament unto itself, but as a collection, they form an enlightening and insightful tool for every music educator and player in search of new ideas and fresh perspectives on teaching for the next century.
"A collection of articles and papers written over the years, this collection
is a great resource representing a wealth of important contributions made by the
author through his jazz education pursuits. I particularly like the author's
treatises on tone, breathing, transciribing, time and jazz rhythms. It is more
than just technical information. The author really gets into basic conepts for
the beginning saxophonist by analyzing essential ideas that are a must for jazz
education instruction. Going beyond the basics, the author also gets into
scales, articulation, listening, imitation, sound, breathing, physical warm ups,
ear training, reading and philosophy. The collection is strongly recommended for
both saxiphonists and music educators. The articles and papers are very relevant
for today's jazz education market." -- IAJE Journal
Price: $12.95
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(Available in German, Japanese, Italian, Czech and French)
Book for all Saxophonists
This book describes the physiology of sound production and the mechanics involved. The emphasis is upon freeing up the involved muscles and parts of the body so that they can operate in a natural instinctive manner. With these difficulties alleviated, the aspiring saxophonist has the opportunity to find his/her own inner voice. Including diagrams and exercises, this material represents Lieb's personal interpretation of the studies he did with master teacher Joe Allard.
"This book would be an important and valuable addition to any teacher's library.:"
Saxophone Journal
Price: $19.95
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SAXOPHONE BASICS: A DAILY PRACTICE GUIDE
A handy-to-use pocket size pamphlet lists the daily routine a saxophonist should include in his practicing. Topics include: assembling the horn, correct posture, breathing, overtone exercises and more.
This book is comprised of a series of interviews of David Liebman by Dr. Larry Fisher with a forward by Phil Woods. The interviews read like a novel and include Liebman's views on a variety of subjects, but most interesting are the over 100 pages devoted to his inside view of Miles Davis culled from his tenure in his band. He covers many areas including musical and personal aspects. The following are some quotes from the book.
"Miles did not doubt his instincts. If he felt you should play, you played then!! It wasn't like there was ever a moment of indecision."
"Miles was always the guy who could play the wrongest note and make it sound great. He could play a C# on a C chord, but the way he would interpret it, bend it, place it, blow it, would make you say, that doesn't sound wrong!!"
"You almost want to cry, especially when you hear the ballads. The guy had a sound. He had a way of expressing beauty and poignancy that was so touching to whomever listened. This will above all remain as a beautiful, lyrical voice. There have been a few others: Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Bill Evans - but combined with his credible perspective over several generations and the influence that the sidemen have had, the cumulative effect is staggering. When it boils down, it is the beauty and lyricism above all that shines through and makes people remember someone. He had the beauty."
Lieb with author Dr. Larry Fisher
Price: $19.95
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2CDs
Two CDs worth of inspiring interviews of Lieb from the Manchester Craft Guild in Pittsburgh done during the mid 90s, covering a wide variety of subjects including: the Coltrane effect, teaching an art form, musical demonstrations of his harmonic, rhythmic and melodic concepts, the artistic process, art vs. craft, Miles Davis, Elvin Jones and much more.
The Lighthouse Omnibook
By Petter Wettre
This book of transcriptions is something a bit more than the
usual. Petter Wettre, one of Norway's top saxophonists had studied with Liebman
and like many of his generation was entranced by the Elvin Jones group recording
"Live at the Lighthouse" which featured Steve Grossman, bassist Gene Perla and
Lieb. This recording has become a classic, especially among saxohonists as it is
a primer in the post Coltrane vocabulary of that time. With painstaking care,
Petter transcribed all of Grossman and Lieb's solos, which offer great insight
into a language that has become a mainstay of saxophonists since that time.
Transcriptions of:
Fancy Free
New Breed
Sambra
Taurus People
Sweet Mama
I'm A Fool To Want You
The Children, Save The Children
Brite Piece
Children's Merry-Go-Round
For All Those Other Times
JERRY BERGONZI
With the greatest drummer ever, this record was a high point which set the
direction and tone for young tenor players. It was the new way.
BILL EVANS
That was a classic and pivitol recording for me, and the music was so intense
and played so hard that I was just floored. A completely modern style - you
could feel the intensity in that record.
GEORGE GARZONE
This record is an example of the next generation of Coltrane fanatics, and the
legacy lives on.
STEVE GROSSMAN
It's a good record. I always get, "It's a great record, etc." It was always very
stimulating to play with Elvin. It was the first live thing we did, and I felt
generally good about the music.
PAT LABARBERA
Referring to patterns that Trane had worked out, Steve and David's lines were so
great. An important landmark.
DAVID LIEBMAN
The "Live At The Lighthouse" date was one of the most exciting nights of my
musical life. The energy and enthusiasm of a working band consisting of three
young musicians with one of the greatest masters of all time was for all of us a
once in a lifetime event that we will never forget.
JOE LOVANO
That quartet was such a strong beautiful focus as a collective ensemble that it
gave me a lot of direction at that time. The way that those four cats played
together was very compositional with beautiful interplay, and the weight of the
energy was equal in the group.
BOB MINTZER
One of the consummate saxophone recordings. Ground-breaking on so many levels;
the way the musicians related, the openness of the music. Great record.
CHRIS POTTER
Elvin Jones' classic "Live at the Lighthouse" recordings have provided a
generation of jazz musicians (myself definitely included) with tremendous
inspiration and material for study. Liebman and Grossman raised the bar for what
could be accomplished on the saxophone after assimilating the musical language
of John Coltrane, and Elvin Jones was at the absolute peak of his powers. The
joy these four musicians must have shared playing together still jumps out of
the speakers at you, and it remains a shining example of jazz at its most vital.
Price: $35.00
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CD / Book available
A live performance along with a complete transcription by Bill Dobbins. This work gives great insight into Liebman and pianist Richie Beirach's individual approaches as well as their unique style of interaction. Four compositions are rigorously notated from beginning to end with all voicings, solos, as well as piano accompaniment to the saxophone and flute.
"In my opinion, this music is beyond category." Bill Dobbins
CD: $15.95 Transcription Book: $16.95
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A collection of 50+ Liebman original compositions, spanning the period from the '70's to 2006. The material includes all facets of Lieb's eclectic approach: modal, chromatic, blues, lyrical and free compositions. Many of the pieces include exact piano voicings and bass-lines. Also included is an essay on "Why Compose?" as well as descriptions of the inspiration for each of the tunes.
All these pieces attempt to blend contemporary classical harmonies and colors with improvisation.
Price: $27.95
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Booklet & CD
This collection of original compostions clearly demonstrates the use of Liebman's chromatic concepts. The CD features the soprano and piano on separate tracks for play-a-long purposes. This is a very advanced collection meant for the serious improviser/composer.
Price: $12.95
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Adapted from Lieb's solo recording on CMP by Caris Visentin.
"This work is a powerful jazz statement, but it is also highly
recommended for "non-jazz" quartets of intermediate and advanced
levels because it demands that the players stretch themselves, listen, and
respond to one another." -- Saxophone Journal
Reviews
Price: $45.00
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(flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) and any solo instrument
Remembrance
(dedicated to pianist Bill Evans)
$19.95
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Atonement
String Quartet (two violins, viola, cello) and any solo instrument
$19.95
South Africa
(Viola and Soprano Saxophone or Violin and Clarinet)
$14.95
Ode for Leo
(Cello and soprano saxophone)
$14.95
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Lines
For Alto and Soprano Saxophones
$14.95
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A new twist on old standards which include: Nica's Dream, All Blues, Maiden Voyage and Green Dolphin Street. There are also original compositions in different genres including free form. David's challenging, inventive arrangements of well known tunes are welcome additions to the library of every musician looking for a fresh perspective! David has substituted his own unique harmonies and grooves (odd meter, fusion, waltz, Modal, etc...) over the "Standard" forms and harmonies to create something really special. The musicians on this play-a-long have been David's regular recording and touring group, adding an extra dimension of "tightness" and authenticity to every measure.
Price: $15.90
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There is no question that Volume 81 is a challenging collection of music. First
of all, there is the particular rhythm section which has played quite a bit
together under my leadership since 1991. Some of the tunes have only been played
for recording sessions; others have been developed more consistently in live
performance; and several were never played by this particular group. But the
point is that they are familiar with my musical language.
There is also the matter of extensive use of vamps. When playing on these
sections, one of the crucial aspects is the conversational element between
soloist and rhythm section which obviously can't occur on a play-along. But I
still felt that it was important to include vamps under any conditions. For me,
they provide relief from the ongoing chord changes and a chance to further build
a story as well as excitement.
I chose not to play along with the tracks at the original recording session
because I didn’t want the rhythm section to react in ways that we have built
up over the years. This might detract from the obvious rationale for
play-a-longs which is for you to be able to easily take part. However, a short
time after the session bassist Tony Marino suggested that it would be
interesting and instructive to hear me play on the tunes. So you have that
opportunity here as well as the chance to accompany me since I am on both
channels.
Price: $8.95
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(Play-Along)
2 CDs with booklet
With David Liebman, soprano sax and Jamey Aebersold, piano. For ALL levels; instrumentalists and vocalists. Hear David Liebman solo over every scale listed in the Scale Syllabus. David solos on two versions of each scale. First is slow/simple and second is more complex/fast. Stereo separation allows you to practice and improvise, too! Piano or guitar players can accompany or solo. Not only can you hear the different scales, you can practice or solo with them by turning off the sax or piano channel. There is an excellent list of suggested piano voicings in the supplement. This is a great way to learn new scales and chords. Enjoy as you would any jazz record and let your ears get accustomed to exciting new scales.
Price: $15.00
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Booklet
All of the solos and examples transcribed off Volume 26, the Scale Syllabus, exactly as played by David on soprano in B key.
Price: $8.95
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Original Compositions of David Liebman
(Play-Along) CD with booklet
Intermediate/Advanced Level. This set is unusual because it contains no II/V7's. The tunes are fresh and the chord progressions are not the usual found in standard songs. The rhythm section is Richie Bierach, piano; Frank Tusa, bass; and Al Foster on drums, recorded after they had just played a week at the Village Vanguard in New York City, so they were a tight rhythm section and it comes off in this recording. The songs include Picadilly Lilly which is a straight-ahead tune with a mixture of quick root movements and stable pedal points. A very Coltrane-flavored song is Slumber. Oasis is a major altered blues. Four scales are used in Loft Dance and the tempo is brisk. Brite Piece incorporates major, lydian and lydian dominant scales. Bonnie's Blue is a straight-ahead blues with some harmonic variation. Tomorrow's Expectations is a very contemporary ballad in its use of some uncommon harmonic movements mixed with more unusual chord progressions. Pedal point modality around the key of C is used in Lookout Farm in 8 and 16 bar phrases...up tempo. These songs are not typical bebop tunes.
Price: $15.90
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(vol. 19 Play-Along) Book/CD
Transcriptions of what Liebman actually played for the recording session of Volume 19 Play-Along with Richie Beirach, Al Foster and Frank Tusa from 1978.
Price: $14.90
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Quest Standards & Originals (Advanced Levels)
Available w/ CD
A different concept of the play-along, this one features two versions: with
and without the featured solo. Besides the transposed parts, there are
explanations, examples and transcriptions from the recorded material. This
acclaimed quartet of the 80s features Liebman, Richard Beirach, Ron McLure and
Billy Hart.
Price: $29.95
(CD)
This CD contains the original 1982 and 1985 tracks recorded at the play-along session in which Liebman played tenor along with the rhythm section. This collections features six Coltrane and five Shorter tunes. Stereo mix allows keyboard, guitar or bass to play-along and accompany Liebman.
Price: $8.95
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Booklet & CD
A concise description of David's approach to playing over the stated tonality using chromatics, polychords and non-diatonic scales. Includes a CD of David playing examples over selected piano chords.
Price: $9.95
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AVAILABLE DAVID LIEBMAN RECORDINGS
(all priced at $15 (U.S.)except where noted; shipping and handling extra)
Purchase Online from Caris Music Services
1-DAVE LIEBMAN GROUP LIVE AT IAJE-NEW YORK 2007(12$)
A performance that will be remembered by all in attendance, the Dave Liebman Group burned the house down at the IAJE Convention in New York, January 2007 featuring a wonderful arrangement of “Green Dolphin Street” and originals showcasing the wide variety of repertoire the Liebman Group performs live.
2-BEYOND THE LINE-THE DAVE LIEBMAN BIG BAND-Omnitone
Made up of New York’s finest sidemen playing Lieb’s original tunes arranged by top notch musicians like Jim McNeely and Vince Mendoza, this showcases material from all the stages of Dave’s career in a big band setting. The performance of Jim McNeely’s famous arrangement (done specifically for Lieb) of “Sing, Sing, Sing” garnered a Grammy nomination for that year.
3-DREAM OF NITE-Universal-Verve
A live recording from Italy featuring Lieb with a great Italian trio (Roberto Tarenzi-piano; Tony Arc-drums; Paolo Benedittini-bass)playing originals and standards in a burning style showing Dave’s straight ahead jazz roots in top form.
4-DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME-Lieb, Ellery Eskelin, Jim Black, Tony Marino-Hatology
When tenorist Ellery Eskelin first came to Yew York in the early 1980s he sought Lieb out for lessons. The two continued their relationship sharing the bandstand together on numerous occasions in the past decades. Ellery has developed into one of the premier “free” jazz players in the world and for this recording he brings in his long time collaborator, drummer Jim Black. Liebman does the same with his bassist since 1991, Tony Marino. Besides originals, there are arrangements of Tadd Dameron’s “Gnid” (recorded by Coltrane on “Mating Call”); Wayne Shorter’s “Vonetta” and a three part conversation combining “What Is this Thing Called Love,” “Subconscious Lee” and “Hot House”- all based on the chord progression to the Cole Porter standard. Both saxophonists use the tenor sax exclusively.
5-MILES AHEAD- Lieb with the Manhattan School of Music Big Band
This CD was recorded live at the Manhattan School of Music features Lieb playing the original music from the first Gil Evans-Miles Davis collaboration. Accompanied by the extended big band, Lieb takes his cues from Miles while employing his own sense of phrasing to such classics as “Lament” “My Ship” and “Miles Ahead” revealing these classic arrangements in a new and fresh light.
6-COLORS-SOLO TENOR-Hatology
In the late 90s after having returned to playing tenor for a few years, Lieb took the opportunity which presented itself at the Banff School for the Arts in Western Canada to record a solo work based on impressions of the primary colors. Doing two versions of each color (red, blue, green, yellow, grey and black), the tenor is explored in unique ways. Liner notes are provided by Joe Lovano and Mike Brecker.
7-THE SEASONS REFLECTED-The Manhattan Saxophone Quartet, drums/percussion and David Liebman-Soul Note
In the mid 1990s Lieb recorded a trio CD with Billy Hart and Cecil McBee on Soul Note depicting the four seasons and course of the sun’s daily path. His long time collaborator, Gunnar Mossblad (who also conducts the Dave Liebman Big Band) arranged and added new parts based on the original recording. The recording features an all star New York based saxophone quartet (with doubles on flutes, oboe, clarinets, English horn) along with drums/percussion. The enhanced CD also includes photos of the passing of the seasons taken in Sweden.
8-WATERS ASHORE-Lieb, Misha Feigin and LaDonna Smith-Transmuseq($12)
A true free jazz recording with violinist Smith and guitarist Feigin getting together for a loose session of textural and highly interactive conversations. This is very representative of Lieb’s playing in the free idiom.
9-THE DUO LIVE-DAVD LIEBMAN WITH RICHARD BEIRACH-Advance Music-(CD-$16;book-$17)
This classic live recording of the famous duo is from Germany in 1985. It is also completely transcribed by Bill Dobbins for study purposes in a separate book. This CD captures the unique communication and harmonic/melodic innovations that the duo pursued for nearly 20 years in various quartet as well as duo combinations.
10-INNER VOICES and COSMOS-DAVE LIEBMAN WITH ABBEY RADER(two separate recordings)-Abray/Cadence
In duet with first generation free drummer Abbey Rader, this demonstrates Lieb revisiting his first influences from the avant garde movement of the late 1960s. INNER VOICES is done in the studio while COSMOS is a live performance from the Full Sail Studios in Orlando, Florida and features some classic Coltrane tunes.
11-AFTER DARK-DAVE LIEBMAN AND THE DUBLIN PROJECT-IMC
Lieb works a lot with excellent European rhythm sections. This CD features one of his longest overseas relationships with Irish musicians: Ronan Guilfoyle on bass, Conor Guilfoyle on drums and Mike Nielsen on guitar playing a brand of free jazz unique to this group.
12-REUNION OF OLD SPIRITS-LOOKOUT FARM
Lieb’s first group was Lookout Farm which featured Richie Beirach and on occasion guitarist John Abercrombie. This reunion date took place in the late 1990s to commemorate the passing of bassist Frank Tusa’s wife, Valerie. Along with Jeff Williams who was in the original “Lookout Farm” and Tony Marino on bass, the music recreates the excitement of the original group with added influences gathered in the years since the group played together.
13-PASSING DREAMS-DAVE LIEBMAN WITH LOOKOUT FARM AND BADAL ROY-Gettika
From the “Lookout Farm” period with Beirach on piano, Jeff Williams on drums, Frank Tusa on bass and Badal Roy on tablas, half of this recording was done in a studio in Bombay, India while the group was on tour there in 1975 joined by a group of Indian musicians. This is one of the earliest recordings mixing cultures together into what is now referred to as “world music”. The remaining tracks were done by Badal and Lieb in the late 1990s.
14-TIME IMMEMORIAL-DAVE LIEBMAN SOLO SAXOPHONES-Enja-
Using the technology of the studio engineered by Walter Quintus, this is a solo recording featuring original sounds all produced on the various saxophones(alto, tenor, soprano and baritone) played by Lieb and configured by Quintus. This solo excursion was inspired by Lieb’s fiftieth birthday and personal reflections that naturally accompany this significant passage in one’s life.
