Few solo musicians on any instrument have made music as powerful and deeply moving as David Friesen. Larry Kelp/Oakland Tribune . . . absolutely breath-taking musicality and performance prowess. A solo concert by David Friesen is an incredible experience. He captivated the audience. Henry Wolking/Chairman Jazz Studies University of Utah Seldom has a jazz musician (and never a bassist) managed to spellbind and hold an audience so happily as David did this evening. Christer Nilsson/Orkester Journalen, Sweden David Friesen began playing solo bass concerts on a regular basis in 1972 and is one of the pioneers of this art form for jazz bassists. His concerts display a wide range of color and rhythmic textures. There is a peace in his music that calms the listener and there is also the intense energetic passion that captivates all who hear him.

Samples: Long Trip Home Martins Belonging Flute Song The Peace That Passes Understanding

The David Friesen compositions are all gorgeous, rich and accessible, each tune more beautiful than the first and absolutely wonderful soloing and ensemble play at its highest level. JM/Jazz Clubscene Everything the trio plays is colored with a pronounced individuality. The harmonic depth, intense rhythm and subtle interaction they employ mesmerizes an audience. D.Ramsey/Downbeat, Jazz Times John Gross Tenor Saxophone       website One of the jazz world's most creative voices. The New York Times Greg Goebel Piano       website A young musician with talent to make larger waves. Goebel's solos rich with complexities and harmonic surprises earns sustained applause from the audience. Doug Ramsey/Rifftides

Samples: Shu Wen

This quintet features John Gross- Tenor, Rob Davis- Tenor, Dan Balmer- Guitar, William Thomas- Drums and David Friesen-Hemage bass. Friesen has written all the music. There are no arrangements, each person has the responsibility to listen and respond creatively to what he hears from the other musicians in the group. Each musician is a master on his instrument...the music is highly powered, very melodic, and adventurous and there is strength in group togetherness and the time feel. The Quintet has played many successful concerts since it's beginning in 2002.

Samples: Song for Tristan

Together, Friesen and Kropinski range beyond the typical boundaries of their instrument and even the usual concept of a duet. There are moments in their performances when simultaneously, Friesen is playing both Shakuhachi flute and bass, and Kropinski is playing both percussion, chords, and lines on his guitar; the duo becomes a virtual quartet. Derk Richardson/San Francisco Bay Guardian Friesen and Kropinski are "heart musicians." Their excellent technique allows them to create their music with no noticeable limitations, freely and from their own spirit. Martin Volgger/Innsbruck, Austria David Friesen and Uwe Kropinski met in Munich, Germany in 1987 in a jazz concert where they were both playing as soloists. They both recognized a similarity in their passion for music and enough differences in other areas, that they combined their musical talents and have been playing as a duet since 1987. They have recorded several CD's together and appeared throughout the United States and Europe in concert, at jazz festivals and presenting Music Jazz workshops sponsored by Thomastik-Infeld/Vienna. They were also both featured guests on the Johnny Carson Tonite Show.

Samples: Pianola

David Friesen and Larry Koonse have been playing duets since 1998. Larry Koonse is one of the great new guitarists on the jazz scene today. His skill as a guitarist is extraordinary...musical ideas flowing, space, great time...he has it all! Together the music they play is very spontaneous, warm, and with great energy. Most of the compositions they play together are written by David Friesen.

Samples: All the Things You Are

John Gross is one of the most original voices on the tenor sax. David and John have been playing duets together since the very early nineties. Their music together is strong and forceful with great melodies and an innovative approach to duo playing. They have toured together in the USA and Europe and work on a regular basis as a duet.

Samples: Before and After

The David Friesen trio, a remarkable continually creative interplay that is the essence of jazz as a continually evolving language. Nat Hentoff Instead of grabbing you by the throat and dragging you into their musical environment, they subtly coax you to come closer, sweeping you away on a journey that ebbs and flows with flexible phrasing, sensitive dynamics, mobile-like textures and melodic/harmonic tension/release that only master improvisers could freely manipulate. Jim Ferguson/Jazz Times Randy Porter and Alan Jones have been playing as a trio since the very early nineties. They have never had a rehearsal and there are no arrangements to any of the music they play together. Their skill as a trio has been documented in many jazz publications including Jazz Times and DownBeat. Two of their recordings have been selected in Jazz Times as one of the 5 best recordings for 1999 and 2002. They have toured throughout the United States and Europe.

Samples: MidnightMood

Joe La Barbera and Larry Koonse both live in Los Angeles, California and David Friesen lives in Portland, Oregon. Because of the location differences and also that each musician has various music projects that keep him busy throughout the year; this trio has not toured extensively. But the music they play together is really extraordinary... the time feel is fantastic and the sound is extremely warm.

Samples: On Going Theme