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avid
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.
riedman'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.
riedman'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.
Air Sculpture / CD
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!".
riedman'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
and Malletech, 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 and is now number 30 in
the jazz charts.
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 instruments 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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