Jazz Articles about David Friesen

David Friesen: Waterfall Rainbow

by John Kelman
January 12, 2015

David FriesenWaterfall RainbowInner City1977 Today's Rediscovery is Waterfall Rainbow, from a bassist who garnered significant attention back in the '70s and '80s, but sadly never sustained it for reasons unknown--certainly nothing to do with his talent--and has, in the decades since, remained an active player, but one largely forgotten by the general jazz public. After taking a relatively bold step and making Color Pool (Muse, 1975), his first album as a leader, a ...

David Friesen e il Questionario di Proust

by Paolo Peviani
November 26, 2014

All About Jazz: Il tratto principale della mia musica. David Friesen Melodie cantabili e progressioni armoniche inconsuete. AAJ La qualità che desidero nei musicisti che suonano con me. D.F. La capacità di ascoltare. AAJ Come musicista, il momento in cui sono stato più felice. D.F. Ce ne sono tanti, ma essere indicato in un recente sondaggio come uno dei ventiquattro bassisti più influenti nella storia del jazz è ...

David Friesen and Jeff Gardner: Grace

by C. Michael Bailey
June 25, 2002

Duet...

Small places, big faces...The smaller and more intimate the jazz combo becomes, the greater the musical distillation and exposure to the elements of the listener. It is always a high-wire act when jazz musicians reduce to a trio or less. The trio offers the bare minimum of a rhythm section of bass and drums and a lead instrument like a piano, guitar, or a reed. The duo typically reduces this further, like a fine sauce or rue, often to ...

David Friesen & Gary Versace: With You In Mind

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2001

Never talk to your neighbor during the bass solo. You’ll miss the best part of many a performance. The artist moves up and down that delicate, centuries-old instrument, plucking one melody after another. By working in duo format with pianist Gary Versace, bassist David Friesen ensures that no one will care to converse during the performance. The pair captures your attention with gentle rhythmic motion and light, ethereal harmony. The session builds on tradition to express fresh ideas.

Standards “You ...

David Friesen & Denny Zeitlin: In Concert

by Jim Santella
June 1, 2000

Two creative artists working as a duo in a live setting serve as a clear example of what the modern mainstream is all about. Bassist David Friesen, always in tune and favoring a lyrical style, adds double stops and slapped percussive sounds to enhance the pair’s output. Pianist Denny Zeitlin, fluid and seamless, swings with a tinge of the blues while improvising in highly creative bursts.

On the four standards, both Zeitlin and Friesen romp through familiar melodies and gradually ...

David Friesen: Two For The Show

by Jim Santella
February 1, 2000

Recorded in 1992-93, David Friesen performed duets with each of the artists listed below. A lyrical bassist, Friesen trades fours, solos, leads and accompanies. The duo format lends an air of openness while inviting each artist to express fully. This reissue follows the three recent album releases mentioned on his web page and over two dozen others as a leader. Friesen, one of jazz mainstream’s premier bassists, was born in Tacoma, Washington May 6, 1942. His career received a big ...