Dave Liebman

814 fans

As a teenager, when he first caught sight (and sound) of John Coltrane playing at New York’s famous Birdland Club, David Liebman fell instantly in love with jazz. A virtuoso on the soprano sax, and an innovative composer, Lieb’s attachment to jazz has always been something more than musical. The spirit behind the music and the community of musicians and listeners all figure into his life in jazz.

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1946 Liebman grew up playing a variety of instruments and studying jazz with the likes of Lennie Tristano, Joe Allard, and Charles Lloyd. Just after graduating from NYU with a degree in American history, he helped to found Free Life Communication, a jazz musician’s co-operative. He also joined Ten Wheel Drive in 1970, one of the early jazz fusion/rock groups. After about two years with them, he moved to the saxophone/flute position in the group of legendary Coltrane drummer, Elvin Jones. In 1973, his apprenticeship reached its zenith when Miles Davis invited him to join his group.

His head constantly abubble with new ideas, Lieb has headed a number of groups, playing in a variety of styles. His first group, which he formed with Bob Moses in 1970, was called Open Sky Trio. In 1973, together with pianist Richard Beirach, he formed Lookout Farm, which toured the world, made several records, and garnered first place in Down Beat’s 1976 International Critics Poll in the category Group Most Deserving of Wider Recognition. In 1981, together with Beirach, George Mraz, and Al Foster, he formed a group called Quest. Quest reached its peak between 1984 and 1991, after the addition of bassist Ron McClure and drummer Billy Hart.

When speaking of David Liebman it is impossible to overlook his faithful companion and the instrument of his passion—the soprano sax. Though he began his career playing all manner of horns, he decided at the end of the 70’s to dedicate himself exclusively to the soprano sax. Appreciative critics and fans have consistently listed him among the top five soprano saxophonists in the world. A number of European orchestras and chamber ensembles with which he has played and recorded, have commissioned works especially designed to capture unique brand of playing.

Liebman’s total commitment to jazz is manifest in the creation of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE), an organization with members in 40 different countries dedicated to connecting jazz teachers to students. His own erudition and talents as a teacher have made him much in demand at workshops and clinics around the world. On a regular basis, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which has honored him with grants for composition and performance, awards grants to musicians who wish to study with him.

And yet, even with all his organizational and pedagogical efforts, Lieb’s first love remains the music itself. In 1996 he signed an exclusive recording agreement with New York’s Arkadia Jazz, signaling his intention to focus his music making energies. New Vista, a studio recording with the The Dave Liebman Group and the great Brazilian percussionist Café, is the first fruit of this collaboration. In early 1998, Arkadia released a live recording of Liebman performing John Coltrane’s ethereal Meditations suite and in 1999, followed up with a new CD entitled The Elements: Water, a joint effort with guitarist Pat Metheny, Billy Hart, and Cecil McBee. One of the jazz world’s most innovative and dedicated citizens, Liebman does not have to wrestle with the temptation to rest on his laurels—the thought has never occurred to him.
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Top tracks

01
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - theme - Dave Liebman & Pat Metheny)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
00:48
Composers: Dave Liebman
01
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets)
04:13
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - Pat Metheny guitar solo)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
01:29
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - Dave Liebman soprano sax solo)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
01:24
Composers: Dave Liebman
04
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - end theme - Dave Liebman & Pat Metheny)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
00:58
Composers: Dave Liebman
01
Pablo's Story
Dave Liebman
Lookout Farm
14:04
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
Heaven's Gift (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
04:27
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
White Caps
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Out and Out Jazz
07:09
Composers: Dave Liebman
06
Storm Surge (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
08:56
Composers: Dave Liebman
08
Baptismal Font (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
04:13
Composers: Dave Liebman
01
Water: Giver of Life (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
06:32
Composers: Dave Liebman
07
Naima
Dave Liebman
Ghosts
05:02
Composers: John Coltrane
01
Zingaro (Portrait in Black and White)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Zingaro (Portrait in Black and White)
05:06
Composers: Antonio Carlos Jobim
10
Water Theme (Reprise) (from The Elemts - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
01:14
Composers: Dave Liebman

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  • Discography
Albums
2024 Arkadia Records / Arkadia Entertainment Corp.
20-06-2025
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
01
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - theme - Dave Liebman & Pat Metheny)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
00:48
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - Pat Metheny guitar solo)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
01:29
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - Dave Liebman soprano sax solo)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
01:24
Composers: Dave Liebman
04
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cut - end theme - Dave Liebman & Pat Metheny)
Arkadia Short Cuts
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
00:58
Composers: Dave Liebman
05
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Heaven's Gift (Fusion - Jazz Secrets) (Short Cuts - breakdown)
04:13
Composers: Dave Liebman
2023 Arkadia Records / Arkadia Entertainment Corp.
23-08-2024
On A Clear Day
01
Keisha's Coy
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
05:31
Composers: John Daniel Walter
02
On A Clear Day
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
05:16
Composers: Burton Lane - Alan Jay Lerner
03
Here I Am There I Go
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
04:31
Composers: John Daniel Walter
04
Beyond the Line
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
04:54
Composers: John Daniel Walter - Dave Liebman
05
Mommie's Eyes
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
05:11
Composers: Dave Liebman
06
If I Should Lose You
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
05:50
Composers: Leo Robin - Ralph Rainger
07
Translucence
JD Walter
On A Clear Day
05:25
Composers: JD Walter - Dave Liebman
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
2023 Dave Liebman
20-05-2023
Stillness
01
Stillness
Dave Liebman
Stillness
43:32
Composers: David John Lantz
(P) 2023 Cellar Live under exclusive license to La Reserve Records, LLC
03-02-2023
Live at Smalls
01
The Beginning (Live)
Dave Liebman
Live at Smalls
14:56
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
The Middle (Live)
Dave Liebman
Live at Smalls
33:00
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
The End (Live)
Dave Liebman
Live at Smalls
24:48
Composers: Dave Liebman
(P) 2022 Meta / Yeros7
16-12-2022
New Now
01
Part 1
Dave Liebman
New Now
08:21
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
02
Part 2
Dave Liebman
New Now
07:57
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
03
Part 3
Dave Liebman
New Now
08:43
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
04
Part 4
Dave Liebman
New Now
08:29
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
05
Part 5
Dave Liebman
New Now
04:58
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
06
Part 6
Dave Liebman
New Now
11:25
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
07
Part 7
Dave Liebman
New Now
09:09
Composers: Dave Liebman - Tyshawn Sorey - Adam Rudolph
(P) 2022 Newvelle Records
11-11-2022
Trust and Honesty
01
Designs
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
04:38
Composers: Robert Visentin - David Liebman
02
Lover Man
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
05:08
Composers: James Davis - James Sherman - Roger Ramirez
03
Time Remembered (Bonus Track)
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
04:24
Composers: Bill Evans
04
Come Rain or Come Shine
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
05:32
Composers: Harold Arlen - Johnny Mercer
05
Stella by Starlight
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
04:43
Composers: Victor Young
06
Blind Pig (Bonus Track)
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
01:07
Composers: John Hebert
07
Moon and Sand
Dave Liebman
Trust and Honesty
06:04
Composers: William Engvick - Mortimer Palitz - Alec Wilder
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
2021 Arkadia Records / Arkadia Entertainment Corp.
14-10-2022
The Elements: Water
01
Water: Giver of Life (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
06:32
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
White Caps (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
07:10
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
Heaven's Gift (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
04:27
Composers: Dave Liebman
04
Bass Interlude (from The Elements - Water)
Cecil McBee
The Elements: Water
02:08
Composers: Cecil McBee
05
Reflecting Pool (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
07:06
Composers: Dave Liebman
06
Storm Surge (from The Elements - Water)
Dave Liebman
The Elements: Water
08:56
Composers: Dave Liebman
07
Guitar Interlude (from The Elements - Water)
Pat Metheny
The Elements: Water
01:19
Composers: Pat Metheny
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
18-07-2022
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
01
Samba for Bird
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
04:58
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta
02
Dual
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
11:25
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta - Miguel García
03
O Antiplástico do Lácio
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
07:37
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta - Marcus Fabiano Gonçalves
04
Gardel
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
07:35
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta - Marcus Fabiano Gonçalves
05
Risco
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
08:48
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta
06
Alumbramento
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
05:10
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta - Marcus Fabiano Gonçalves
07
Saia Rodada
Edu Martins
Edu Martins & Dave Liebman
07:00
Composers: Eduardo Carlos Martins Peralta
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
2020 Arkadia Records / Arkadia Entertainment Corp.
18-03-2022
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
01
New Vista (Radio Version)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
05:09
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
Beauty and the Beast
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
05:28
Composers: Alan Menken - Howard Ashman
03
Caravan
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
04:54
Composers: Jual Tizol - Duke Ellington
04
Naima
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
05:40
Composers: John Coltrane
05
Jazz Influence
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
06:00
Composers: Carlos Lyra
06
Convite (Invitation)
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
04:58
Composers: Guilherme Franco
07
Up Jumped Spring
Arkadia Jazz All-Stars
Arkadia Jazz: In the Beginning
06:25
Composers: Freddie Hubbard
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
2021 Arkadia Records / Arkadia Entertainment Corp.
18-02-2022
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
01
Quando m'en vo (From the opera "La Boheme") (feat. Vic Juris) (Musetta's Waltz)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
05:59
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
02
Come e lunga l'attesa (From the opera "Tosca") (feat. Phil Markowitz & Matt Wilson) (How Long the Wait)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
06:22
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
03
Nessun dorma (From the opera "Turandot") (feat. Phil Markowitz) (None Shall Sleep)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
04:38
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
04
E Luce Van Le Stelle (From the opera "Tosca") (feat. Phil Markowitz, Caris Visentin & Larry Fisher) (The Stars Were Shining)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
07:37
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
05
Tre sbirri (From the opera "Tosca") (feat. Phil Markowitz, Tony Marino & Matt Wilson) (Three Agents)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
08:10
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
06
O mio babbino caro (From the opera "Gianni Schicchi") (feat. Phil Markowitz & Jamey Haddad) (Oh, My Beloved Daddy)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
03:26
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
07
In questa reggia (From the opera "Turandot") (feat. Larry Fisher & Caris Visentin) (Within This Palace)
Dave Liebman
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk In the Clouds
05:49
Composers: Giocomo Puccini
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
2021 Dot Time Records
03-09-2021
Selflessness
01
Mr. Day
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
07:42
Composers: John Coltrane
02
Compassion
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
05:34
Composers: John Coltrane
03
My Favorite Things
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
08:36
Composers: John Coltrane
04
Ole
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
07:49
Composers: John Coltrane
05
Lazy Bird
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
05:48
Composers: John Coltrane
06
Peace On Earth
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
04:07
Composers: John Coltrane
07
One Up One Down
Dave Liebman
Selflessness
04:35
Composers: John Coltrane
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
(P) 2021 Delta Music & Media
27-08-2021
Aural Landscapes
01
Aural Landscape 1
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
03:36
Composers: Dave Liebman
02
Aural Landscape 2
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
04:48
Composers: Dave Liebman
03
Aural Landscape 3
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
04:12
Composers: Dave Liebman
04
Aural Landscape 4
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
01:49
Composers: Dave Liebman
05
Aural Landscape 5
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
04:47
Composers: Dave Liebman
06
Aural Landscape 6
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
04:49
Composers: Dave Liebman
07
Aural Landscape 7
Dave Liebman
Aural Landscapes
04:35
Composers: Dave Liebman
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
(P) 2021 Delta Music & Media
27-08-2021
Empathy
01
Instinct / Reverence
Dave Liebman
Empathy
05:46
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
02
Wisdom / Grace
Dave Liebman
Empathy
10:39
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
03
Truth / Ephemeral
Dave Liebman
Empathy
06:36
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
04
Beauty / Intuition
Dave Liebman
Empathy
08:46
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
05
Integrity / Humanity
Dave Liebman
Empathy
05:21
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
06
Telepathy / Joy
Dave Liebman
Empathy
05:23
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
07
Empathy
Dave Liebman
Empathy
11:09
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach
(P) 2021 Delta Music & Media
27-08-2021
Lifelines
01
Lifelines
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
11:58
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
02
Firestorm
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
10:30
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
03
Nowness
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
08:43
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
04
In The Wind
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
03:06
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
05
Landslide
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
03:48
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
06
Synchronicity
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
03:35
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
07
Tightrope
Dave Liebman
Lifelines
05:24
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Birach - Jack DeJohnette
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
(P) 2021 Delta Music & Media
27-08-2021
Aftermath
01
Aftermath
Dave Liebman
Aftermath
50:26
Composers: Dave Liebman - Richie Beirach - Florian van Volxem - Kurt Renker