David Liebman

In Conversation with Lieb (2 CDs)

For the many fans of audio books, here is a one-of-a-kind look into the life of a well-known performing jazz artist via interviews and commentary. David, well-known for his articulate manner and ability to translate concepts into easily understandable terms, offers not only insight into his own life, but also a historical perspective of contemporary jazz in general by covering topics such as Coltrane's influence, teaching approaches, lessons learned from Miles Davis and others with musical demonstrations. Enjoyable and informative!

Disc Contents:

Disc #1: Interview conducted by saxophonists Todd Preston and Eric Defade - Total time - 72:15

1. The Loneliness of A Long Distance Runner Themes: Mind and Body (D. Liebman) - solo tenor sax
2. John Coltrane
3. Teaching an art form
4. The jazz tree/Lieb's personal evolution
5. The fusion movement
6. Conformity and individuality
7. Lessons from the masters:
--Sonny Rollins: 'Because I can!!'
--Pete LaRoca: 'Less is more.'
--Miles Davis: 'Stop before you're done.'
--Elvin Jones: 'Refine and recreate.'
8. Musical demonstrations: intervals, rhythm, melody and harmony
9. Lieb's compositional process
10. Solo soprano sax improvisation

Disc #2: Interview conducted by Mike Faisor - Total time - 54:12

1. Early Years
2. 'When did you first hear the real thing?'
3. Playing with Elvin Jones and Miles Davis
4. Other musical and non-musical influences
5. Teaching - the artist's responsibility to the audience and relevance to the world at large
6. Present and future activities
7. (Lieb talking alone) --Stages of the artistic process: imitation, style, innovation, individuality
--The difference between art and craft
--Being flexible and using variety
8. What are you thinking while playing?; Spirituality; Remembering why we play