Interview with Jazz Fuel, 2021

For today’s interview we’re joined by a real jazz legend with a career in contemporary music which stretches back nearly 50 years.

NEA Master Dave Liebman emerged in the 70s performing saxophone (and sometimes flute) with artists including Miles Davis, Elvin Jones & Chick Corea.

Alongside an illustrious career which includes over five HUNDRED records (including almost 200 as a bandleader!) he has also forged a reputation as a tireless jazz educator.

He’s performed workshops and seminars internationally and written books including Self Portrait Of A Jazz Artist, A Chromatic Approach To Jazz Harmony And Melody and Developing A Personal Saxophone Sound (available via his website).

In the words of Downbeat: “Liebman is among the most important saxophonists in contemporary music… a leader and artist of integrity and independent direction.”

Dave spoke to Jazzfuel’s Maggie Samkova in early 2021, in the midst of COVID, on a range of topics including getting the gig with Elvin Jones, the changing demands on musicians today and how jazz education has evolved.

There are some fascinating takeaways from a musician who has managed to successfully navigate the jazz ‘business’ whilst staying true to his artistic vision.

Also, some great stories:

“I remember one place called Bradley’s, it was a Piano Bar – piano and bass. I remember coming in at 4 o’clock in the morning and Herbie Hancock and George Shearing were sitting at the piano, training.”

You can of course keep reading for the full interview, but here were a couple of things which really stood out to us:

  • “It’s a lot of hats we wear as a musician. This is what I learnt in the 60 years of doing it: be organized and be able to take care of the business in as many ways as you can.”

     

  • “The record companies are not coming back. They had a good seventy years from the 40’s on and now it’s up to each artist to find a way to get their music out there.”

     

  • “We have supply and demand always working against each other… We have to find an audience. We need to find people who listen…”

Read the rest here.