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Self-Portrait of a Jazz Artist: Book

$30.95 USD
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Self-Portrait of a Jazz Artist Cover Image
Self-Portrait of a Jazz Artist: Book

Self-Portrait of a Jazz Artist: Book

Musical Thoughts and Realities

By David Liebman

Item: 01-ADV19100
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Description
Another well-known famous book describes Liebman's artistic and aesthetic path which contributed to making him such a singular voice in jazz. David Liebman is a world-renowned soprano saxophonist, widely respected both as an artist and educator. He has recorded over 100 albums, many as a leader featuring nearly 150 original compositions. As a sideman, Liebman has toured and recorded with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin among others.

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Additional Details
Series: Advance Music
Publisher: Advance Music
ISBN10: 3-892210-13-6
ISBN13: 978-3-892210-13-9
UPC: 805095191004
SKU: 01-ADV19100

More about this title

About the Author: David Liebman

David Liebman stands among the most recorded and performed soprano saxophonists in jazz history, with a discography exceeding 100 albums as a leader. His work alongside Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea, and John McLaughlin shaped the sound of modern jazz fusion and contemporary improvisation, establishing him as both a virtuoso instrumentalist and a prolific composer with nearly 150 original compositions to his name.

Beyond the bandstand, Liebman has dedicated himself to jazz pedagogy and music theory, earning recognition as an educator whose insights into artistic development and creative process benefit musicians at every level. His commitment to articulating the thinking behind his music makes him a uniquely valuable voice for students seeking to understand not just how to play jazz, but how to develop a personal voice within it.

Why we love this

Liebman writes from lived experience at the highest levels of jazz, giving this book an authenticity that purely theoretical texts cannot match. Rather than prescribing formulas, he traces the actual aesthetic choices and influences that shaped his artistic identity, making it an invaluable resource for serious students ready to think critically about their own musical development.

What to expect

Reading Liebman's reflection on his own journey creates a conversation between the reader and a master craftsman willing to expose the thinking behind decades of creative work. You encounter not answers handed down, but an honest account of how artistic identity emerges through listening, experimentation, and unwavering commitment to sound.

Who it's for

Jazz students and educators seeking insight into how a world-class musician builds and sustains a distinctive voice. This book appeals to anyone committed to understanding the deeper artistic and philosophical dimensions of jazz beyond mechanics and technique.

How to get the most out of it

  • Use this alongside transcription work from Liebman's recordings to connect concepts back to sound
  • Schedule guided reading discussions with advanced students; the book rewards close attention to detail
  • Reference specific passages when coaching students on tone development and soprano saxophone technique

How to use it

Place this in the hands of advanced jazz students as a companion to their applied lessons and ensemble work, especially those beginning to move beyond learning tunes and standards toward developing repertoire and personal interpretation. It works equally well as a faculty resource for understanding how to mentor musicians through the difficult transition from competent player to distinctive artist.

Skills your students will build

  • understanding how artistic voice develops through listening, study, and aesthetic choice
  • recognizing the relationship between technique and musical identity
  • learning from a master's retrospective on compositional and improvisational growth
  • examining the role of influences and mentorship in shaping a musician's path

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