Fire

Dave Liebman, Kenny Werner, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette

Dave Liebman (ts, ss, wooden flute, c-flute)
Kenny Werner (p)
Dave Holland (b)
Jack DeJohnette (ds)

Track Listing

1. Flash!! (Liebman, Werner, Holland, DeJohnette)
2. Fire (Liebman)
3. Sparks (Liebman)
4. Flames (Liebman)
5. Inferno (Liebman)
6. Ashes (Liebman)

Liner Notes

The Elements: Fire
The four elements found in the natural world (Air, Fire, Water, Earth) represent the ultimate example of duality, observed in both nature and humankind. Whether it is called yin.yang, nigh/day (any opposing pari), the principle remains the same. As Yoda, the Star Wars sage said: "There are always two!!"
Extreme manifestation of this duality pertaining to the element of air are realized as tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones; the for the water element as floors and blizzards; the earth as earthquakes and for fire, conflagration. Equally on the opposite side there are the life-giving and sustaining qualities of air, water, fire and the earth... all gifts of nature granted to the human species.
Conceptually, this music alludes to one aspect of the duality of the fire element. Sparks begin the process, evolving into flames, progressing to an inferno... finally ashes remain as a testament to fire's destructive legacy, but with the understanding that fire is also realized as heat, light and sustenance.
The Rhythm Section
My roots with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette go back to the late 1960's. I met Dave in London in 1967 when I was visiting Europe for a few months. With Jack it was about that time we met at jam session in New York. My first album as a leader ("First Visit") was recorded in Japan while I was with Miles Davis and they were with Stan Getz along with my long time partner, pianist Richie Beirach. (Also there was the 1988 "Trio + 1" recording with Dave, Jack and my wife Caris Visentin on oboe. When Dave came to New York joining Miles Davis' group in 1968 he ended up living on the second floor of a loft building where I was the first tenant, eventually joined by Chick Corea on the first floor... 138 W. 19th Street. Of course Jack and Dave have gone on to be recognized as one of the classic bass/drum combinations in jazz history and individually two of the greatest artists on their instruments. Jack especially is a force of nature.
Besides the programmatic aspect of the recording as described above, there was in my mind the idea of re-creating the feeling of the music we played in the loft days from that early period, featuring a heavy dose of free jazz inspired by Coltrane's seminal recording "Ascension". There were many sessions that might feature several horn players "soloing" together (Mike and Randy Brecker, Terumasa Hino, Bob Berg, Steve Grossman, etc) all embracing the free spirit of the late 60's period both in the real world and musically. At the same time the so-called "fusion" movement with Miles at the head became popular along with the rock/jazz horn band phenomenon... 10 Wheel Drive (the group I played in), Chicago, Blood, Sweat Tears, etc... These contemporary activities co-existed with the jazz tradition we were all still learning about, since many of the original masters were still very active. Quite an exciting period!!
If I must say so, we have all definitely improved in the ensuing decades, especially when it comes to playing "free jazz"... the ability to play less, to play soft, to express a feeling above all .... in sum demonstrating maturity at its highest level. For this recording the opportunity to have Kenny Werner join Jack and Dave in the rhythm section was a blessing as he fit right into the very open and loose scenario I was looking for. Playing and communing with these great artists was an honor and privilege.
Dave Liebman
Special thanks to Kurt Renker for his many years of support in both the practical and musical realms; to John Fishell who is my first call engineer; to mix master, Florian Van Volxem; and as always to Caris and Lydia for their ever-present support.
Note: Along with the recordings "Water- Giver of Life" from the later 90's featuring Pat Metheny, "Air" (all available on the internet), and the present Fire" what remains is "Earth" which will conclude my series on the elements. 

Review

LATINS DE JAZZ
BY NICOLE VIDEMANN
"Fire", the fiery album of Dave Liebman:
Sparks, flame, ashes ... an infernal flare……………………………
"Fire" is the third album in the series that Dave Liebman has devoted to interpretations of the natural elements. The cast of the album is exceptional since the saxophonist brings around him three legendary musicians involved in the evolution of jazz, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland and Kenny Werner.
After "Water-Giver of Life" (1997) recorded with Pat Metheny, Billy Hart and Cecil McBee and "Air" (2006) recorded with Walter Quintus, saxophonist Liebman publishes "Fire"….the third album of his series dedicated to natural elements released on the Jazzline label.
As one of the most Innovative artists in jazz, Dave Liebman is a figure who has contributed much to the history of jazz. Technician emeritus, he produces volcanic and spirited performances associated with the post-Coltranian movement. His sensitivity and sense of musicality also allows him to play lyrical music with a strong emotional dimension.
After having been taught by Lennie Tristano and Charles Lloyd, Dave Liebman was part of the Elvin Jones and Miles Davis groups in the 1970s with an ongoing career as a bandleader.
Over the years he has played with many musicians including John Scofield, Richie Beirach, Bob Moses, Billy Hart, Chick Corea, Steve Grossman, Larry Coryell, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Pee Wee Ellis, Joe Lovano, Ravi Coltrane.
But also in Europe with Joachim Kuhn, Daniel Humair, Paolo Fresu, Michel Portal, Wolfgang Reisinger, Jean-Paul Celea, Martial Solal and many others.
His discography is one of the most exceptional in jazz. He has participated in more than 500 recordings including approximately 200 as a leader or co-leader. Among his many groups is the Quest group but as well performing with the Ensemble Intercontemporain de Paris. It is undoubtedly his role as a musical eclectic that allows him to express himself in many idioms from fusion to free jazz to Puccini arias.
Dave Liebman has established himself in jazz as a master of soprano saxophone on which he has forged a unique and inimitable style that he employs expressing the past, present and future.
When referring to the elements of nature in this series of recordings Liebman refers to the duality that relates to each of these elements. Thus the element of fire is associated with beneficial elements such as heat and light and also the fact that fire allows mankind to expand in all possibilities.  On the other hand, the process that generates fire also carries destruction.  Sparks for example  give birth to Flames which can turn into an Inferno , evidenced by  Ashes .
"Fire" recreates the atmospheres of the late ‘60s including a high dose of free jazz inspired by the music of Coltrane from the time of the album "Ascension." This era demonstrated a coexistence between free and fusion jazz. On the record, six tracks including five composed by Dave Liebman total sixty-nine minutes of music with contrasting climates. The atmospheres oscillate between furious and passionate outbursts as well as more contemplative and serene moments, evocative of the duality that inhabits the element of fire.
 “Fire” represents a free and inspired music, strong and sensitive at the same time.