Liebman Biography Available in paperback from Amazon.com – click to preview or purchase
In conversation with noted historian Lewis Porter, Liebman recounts his life with notable insights into his getting polio as a young boy and its effects; seeing Coltrane live in the clubs of New York as a teenager; studying wtih Charles Lloyd and Lenny Tristano; playing in the groups of Elvin Jones and Miles Davis; his career as a leader, teacher and more. This is a fascinating insight into what it was like in New York City as a young artist trying to break into the jazz world in the late 1960’s and 70s…truly a story of the times.
“A confluence of confidence and humility—completely aware of what he’s good at and where he needs work but, with the mind of a problem solver, always seemingly capable of addressing his challenges and moving forward—Liebman may be approaching septuagenarian status, but he still has plenty of plans and the energy, drive and work ethic to make them happen. Equal parts captivating autobiography and inspirational “you can do it too” guidebook, What It Is is just that. From Dave Liebman, you’d not expect anything less.”
-John Kelman from All About Jazz
FULL REVIEWS:
Read a review from All About Jazz here
Read a review from JazzTimes here
In conversation with the great Dutch drummer Eric Ineke, Dave comments and questions Eric on his experiences playing with and orgainizing tours for many of the great jazz masters who toured regularly in Europe in the second part of the 20th centurys: Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard and other notables. Eric was and still is THE man for putting a great straightahead rhtyhm section together for visiting artists in that part of Europe. erik and Lieb really go deep into what it is like to be on the stage with these masters.
E mail contact for ordering: g.b.vinke@wxs.nl
This is an oral history based on conversations with David Liebman about his musical career and his association with Miles Davis. Chapter One examines Liebman’s background and early influences (Elvin Jones and Miles Davis). Two – information about Liebman and his band, artistic objectives, interaction with an audience; teaching and aesthetics. Three – Liebman’s place in the jazz spectrum; performance style; musical and language communication; the ideal audience. Four – Lifestyles and attitudes of jazz musicians; the jazz musician as a businessman and world traveler; the student musician and careers in jazz today. Five – David Liebman on Miles Davis, May 28, 1991, a few months before Miles’ death. Six – David Liebman on Miles Davis, Oct. 16, 1991, shortly after Miles’ death.
MP3 Audio Book
In this three hour MP3 format, Lieb talks with two former students about the most common concerns confronting students leaving school and beginning their artistic/performing/ teaching careers. Questions about leading a band, business matters, traveling, social relationships and more are discussed.
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.
