Edgar Steinitz - Yiddish Blues (OA2 RECORDS 2018)

With an artistic hand lent by legendary bassist David Friesen, clarinetist Edgar Steinitz presents a soulful debut recording. Honoring his heritage, Steinitz taps into a deep spirituality inspired by the joyous melodies of traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish musics, offering originals and improvisations in their spirit. Besides Friesen on bass, Roots Unknown features an ensemble of accordian, violin, and percussion along with master improvisor, trumpeter and saxophonist Jay Thomas. Combining the refined musical tastes of the Northern European Ashkenazi, and the strong Afro-Latin influences from the Northern African and South American Sephardic communities, Steinitz discovers a rich and significant musical landscape to explore.

1 To Life (L'Chayim) 4:10 (Jerry Bock, arr. Edgar Steinitz)

2 Jewish Jazz Jam (JJJ) Suite 13:03

one - Peace and Wholeness (Oseh Shalom) 3:35

(Debbie Friedman, arr. Edgar Steinitz)

two - Healing Mind, Body and Spirit (Mi Shebeirach) 3:13

(Debbie Friedman, arr. Edgar Steinitz)

three - Hope (Hatikvah) 3:75 (arr. Edgar Steinitz)

four - Rejoice (Nagila) 2:79 (arr. Edgar Steinitz)

3 Liberation (Ma Lecha Hayam) 6:47 (arr. Edgar Steinitz)

4 Segue 1 0:29 (David Friesen & Jay Thomas)

5 Yiddish Blues 4:09 (arr. Edgar Steinitz)

6 Perseverance 3:03 (David Friesen)

7 Sephardic Blues & Into The Shadow of Lodz 4:50 (Edgar Steinitz / Jerry Simon)

8 Segue 2 0:35 (David Friesen & Jay Thomas)

9 Grant Peace (Sim Shalom) 7:12 (arr. Edgar Steinitz)

10 May Love Find Its Way To You 1:26 (Edgar Steinitz)

Edgar Steinitz - Clarinets & Soprano Sax

Bonnie Birch - Accordion

Jeff Busch - Percussion

Julian Smedley - Violin & Viola

Wayne Porter - Drums

Special Guest Artists

David Friesen - Hemage Bass

Jay Thomas - Flugelhorn, Flute, Tenor Sax, Trumpet

David Friesen - Structures (ORIGIN RECORDS 2017)

"One of the most eminent exponents of the instrument, he maintains an astonishing level of virtuosity." LOS ANGELES TIMES

With 50 years of designing sublime musical architecture where risk-taking, rhythmic rapport, originality, and giving of oneself to the music are the vital ingredients, legendary bassist David Friesen has reached a creative pinnacle. The two-disc set, "Structures," highlights his capacities and his original compositions through duos with two dynamic improvisors he's partnered with over the years. Disc One offers saxophonist Joe Manis and Friesen in a live duo performance in Ukraine while on tour in early 2017. On Disc Two, David carries on with an eclectic musical relationship started back when master guitarist Larry Koonse was still a student. Together they have created an intimate album, sharing conversations full of vitality, warmth, and great musical respect.

"Few solo musicians on any instrument have made music as powerful and deeply moving as David Friesen." - Oakland Tribune

DISC ONE:

1. Wrinkle 4:41

2. Basic Strategy 4:56

3. Brilliant Heart* 5:11

4. Martin's balcony 2:56

5. Left Field Blues 3:26

6. New Hope* 3:41

7. Roof Tops 4:45

8. Seam Line 6:11

9. Going Forth* 6:14

10. Lament for the Lost/Procession 8:16

DISC TWO:

1. Make Believe 4:12

2. New Hope 4:16

3. Romantic 3:45

4. Quietly Unfolding 4:18

5. Alaskan Waters 4:25

6. Undisclosed 5:20

7. At Last, At Rest 4:05

8. Passage 3:58

9. My Faith, My Life 4:07

DISC ONE: 

David Friesen - Hemage bass, piano 

Joe Manis - tenor & soprano saxophones 

DISC TWO:

David Friesen - Hemage bass 

Larry Koonse - electric guitar

David Friesen Circle 3 Trio - Triple Exposure (ORIGIN RECORDS 2016)

"Once in a great while, a musician emerges with such authority and such seemingly effortless originality that his place in the front ranks of his instrument is unquestioned. So it is with David Friesen". NAT HENTOFF

Virtuoso bassist, composer, leader, innovator, talent scout and storyteller, David Friesen offers another of his many gifts in Triple Exposure through the original visual art that graces the cover. David's subtle art work is at one with the spiritual essence, the relaxed precision, and the masterful dynamics the fully collaborative musical adventure of Triple Exposure.

From David's opening eight note vamp, pianist Greg Goebel's handsomely selective melodic lines and Charlie Doggett's graceful drumming on "Whetstone," through the other ten original compositions, the trio employs perfect interplay, truly a family unit with all its genial genes and collaborative cells, a closely linked group that thrives on selfless awareness and mutual compatibility totally at home with one another. 

"Everything the trio plays is colored with a pronounced individuality. The harmonic depth, intense rhythm and subtle interaction they employ mesmerizes an audience." DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

01. Whetstone 6:17

02. Turn in the Road 5:42

03. Bright Light Sky 4:50

04. Rainbow Song 7:08

05. Side Step 4:36

06. Another Time, Another Place 5:06

07. Right From Wrong 5:08

08. Let It Be Known 5:13

09. Soft As Silk 4:53

10. Everything We Are 4:25

11. Open Country 5:44

DAVID FRIESEN - Hemage bass

GREG GOEBEL - Piano

CHARLIE DOGGETT - drums

Producer: David Friesen 

Executive Producer: David Friesen 

Recorded at Portland Piano, Co. Portland, Oregon September 27-28, 2015 

Mixing: Phoenix, AZ February 4 th 5 th 2016 

Recording and Mixing Engineer: Peter Swann, David Friesen 

Post Production: Dana White/Specialized Mastering, Portland, Oregon February 26 th 2016 

Front and back cover and inside paintings by: David Friesen 

Cover design by John Bishop