David Liebman, a renaissance man in contemporary jazz music for over 50 years, and his new group of musicians are coming to the Bucks Newtown Campus in October.
Liebman is a saxophonist who has played and recorded music from hard rock to free jazz for over 5 decades. Ben Ratliff of the New York Times stated, “While others of his 60s generation have fallen off their ambition, Liebman has remained dogged about composition and trying different styles, he’s a fighter.”
Liebman has performed on over 500 recordings and has composed or collaborated on more than 200 compositions. He is also featured on over several hundred original compositions.
Downbeat Magazine wrote, “Liebman is among the most important saxophonists in contemporary music… a leader and artist of integrity and independent direction.”
In 1989, Liebman founded and became the Artistic Director of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, a worldwide network of schools in 40 countries.
The award-winning saxophonist is a lecturer and author of several books with multiple teaching DVDs. His books vary from teaching about different types of jazz to milestone books about his life, including an autobiography. He also had journalistic contributions and published chamber music.
Liebman created the group, Expansions, to look in the direction of “the present generation of jazz musicians who have been taught in conservatory and university settings.” They travel to different colleges and universities to show how jazz can be changed and be freer to young college musicians.
Expansions play elements from free jazz and re-arrangements of standards with complex signatures from new jazz artists. In 2014, their first recording “Samsara” was released by Whaling City Sounds. The Expansions group consists of David Liebman, pianist Bobby Avey, reedman Matt Vashlishan, drummer Ale Ritz, and bassist Tony Marino.
The multiple Grammy nominee has worked with other jazz masters such as Miles Davis and Elvin Jones. Liebman and the Expansions not only incorporates the musical influence Davis in their music but also introduces younger generation to this great jazz musician. They are teaching young musicians to think outside of their classical box, encourage them to adopt new techniques.
Having Liebman and the Expansions performed at Bucks will be a tremendous experience not only for the students but for the community as well.        Since Bucks has a growing Arts program, a renowned jazz musician like Liebman will open student’s eyes and ears to new music. The Expansions classic and innovating approach will show new techniques that Bucks students could incorporate into their own music.
The community will have the opportunity to watch a master and up and coming musicians perform classical jazz with some new genres thrown into the mix. It will be a show you will not want to miss.
The Expansions: The David Liebman Group will be performing on Saturday, Oct. 3rd 2015 at 3:00 pm for a Masterclass at the Zlock Performing Arts Center at the Newtown Campus which is free and open for all. There will be a second performance at 7:30 pm and tickets are required. Tickets are $25/$10 for students, alumni, and seniors.