David Liebman

David Liebman’s career has spanned over four decades, beginning in the early ‘70s with his “apprenticeship” period, performing and recording in the groups of drummer Elvin Jones (“Live At The Lighthouse”) and Miles Davis (“On The Corner”). Since then he has led his own groups (Lookout Farm; Quest; The Dave Liebman Group) featuring musicians such as John Scofield, Richie Beirach, Billy Hart, Adam Nussbaum, Al Foster, John Abercrombie and Vic Juris. Liebman is featured on more than five hundred recordings with several hundred original compositions published. His repertoire is among the most eclectic of contemporary artists, ranging from original adaptations of standard material to 20th-century inspired classical music. As soloist in a contemporary classical setting Liebman has performed with Klangforum (Vienna, Austria) and Ensemble Intercontemporain (Paris, France). In the education field he is a renowned lecturer, producing several instructional DVDs and books. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) and is currently Artist in Residence at the Manhattan School of Music (NYC). Liebman has consistently been placed among the top three in the Downbeat Critics Poll for Soprano Saxophone since 1973. In 2011 he received the NEA Masters of Jazz Award, the highest honor for jazz given by the United States government.