Once in a great while, a musician emerges with such authority and such seemingly effortless originality that his place in the front ranks of his instrument is unquestioned. So it is with David Friesen. - Nat Hentoff. A major international jazz figure for over 50 years, bassist-composer David Friesen continues his unflagging process of creating new defining works, with the ambitious, expansive, and deeply personal musical explorations found on Testimony. Through the desire to better understand his Mother's Ukrainian heritage, and with inspired leg-work from his Czech-based assistant, Natalie Digtyar, Friesen found himself on a 2015 tour of family landmarks in Smila, Ukraine, fully researched and led by a television crew and the local historical museum. Meeting Oleksandr Pirozhenko, director of the National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine, set in motion the collaboration heard here, beginning with a sold-out 2016 "homecoming" concert in Smila's Concert Hall, followed by this live recording from Kiev's National Philharmonic Hall in December, 2018. Arrangements of Friesen's profoundly spiritual compositions unfold, offering passages exploding with orchestral grandeur alongside lone whispers from solo piano, vibes or bass, and intimate quartet vignettes, all reflecting the myriad emotions exposed through his journey of ancestral discovery.
Creating sublime musical structures over the last five decades, where risk-taking, rhythmic rapport, and giving of oneself to the music are the essence, legendary bassist David Friesen's music continues to reach new pinnacles of profound expression. On disc one, his long-touring, closely knit trio with saxophonist Joe Manis and drummer Charlie Doggett went into a Portland studio to record 13 new works by Friesen. Disc Two, with Manis and Australia-based drummer, Reuben Bradley, is a bristling live performance from Vienna's Porgy & Bess jazz club during their Spring 2019 European tour. Thriving on selfless awareness and their uncanny compatibility, the trio's joyful interactions offer surprise, beauty, and depth at every turn.
As early as 1976, Nat Hentoff wrote: "Once in a great while, a musician emerges with such authority and such seemingly effortless originality that his place in the front ranks of his instrument is unquestioned." Hentoff was not speaking of promise or potential, but actual performance, and forty-two years later, with My Faith, My Life, bassist David Friesen has added immeasurably to his stature. With it's two CD suites complementing each other so fully, it's an epochal achievement - a testament to the offers of faith, matched with a purposeful life. Disc One is a 13-piece solo performance on his Hemage Bass, which calls attention to the intimacy and immediacy of his compositions. The solo piano of Disc Two highlights Friesen's supple touch on an instrument he's not generally known for. Closing the set, the composition "My Faith, My Life" sums it all up: a credo, affirmation, reverence - lower register continuity laced with sublime melody: a hymn to the Source of all song, with a fitting Amen at the close."One of the most eminent exponents of the instrument, he maintains an astonishing level of virtuosity." - LOS ANGELES TIMES
Bassist David Friesen recorded this extraordinary solo album without overdub in 1978. It is not, however, just a display of incredible technique Friesen has on his instrument, but it is also his enormous talent in composition that this album features.
Friesen was a frequent guest player in Scandinavia in the late 70s and the early 80s participating apart from this solo release three other albums as sideman on SteepleChase.
“Full marks also for David Friesen whose bass lines constantly support the two main soloists (Duke Jordan and Art Farmer).” Mark Gardner linernotes SCCD31103 Duke’s Artistry 1978.
“David Friesen is one of the new bass stars on the jazz horizon; he has worked extensively with Stan Getz, Billy Harper, Woody Shaw, and Ted Curson. He has two albums out under his own leadership: “Star Dance” and “Waterfalls Rainbow”, both of which have created quite a stir in the musical press.” Leonard Malone linernotes SCCD 31129 Ruby My Dear
Bassist David Friesen recorded this extraordinary solo album without overdub in 1978. It is not, however, just a display of incredible technique Friesen has on his instrument, but it is also his enormous talent in composition that this album features.
Friesen was a frequent guest player in Scandinavia in the late 70s and the early 80s participating apart from this solo release three other albums as sideman on SteepleChase.
“Full marks also for David Friesen whose bass lines constantly support the two main soloists (Duke Jordan and Art Farmer).” Mark Gardner linernotes SCCD31103 Duke’s Artistry 1978.
“David Friesen is one of the new bass stars on the jazz horizon; he has worked extensively with Stan Getz, Billy Harper, Woody Shaw, and Ted Curson. He has two albums out under his own leadership: “Star Dance” and “Waterfalls Rainbow”, both of which have created quite a stir in the musical press.” Leonard Malone linernotes SCCD 31129 Ruby My Dear
