David Liebman / Mike Murley Quartet
“Day and Night” (Cornerstone Records) brings together renowned saxophonist David Liebman (formerly with Miles Davis and Elvin Jones) with four Canadian musicians on whom he has been a major musical influence. In particular saxophonist Mike Murley, co-leader on this date, studied with Liebman both at the Banff Jazz Workshop and in New York City during the 1980s and counts his former teacher as one of his most important musical mentors.
The group first came together in 2003 for a date at the Rex Jazz Bar during the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Toronto. This resulted in a concert at the Atlantic Jazz Festival in Halifax NS in July 2003 that was recorded for CBC radio. Cornerstone Records released this very special recording at the quartet’s Toronto reunion in January 2008.
A recording of vitality and energy, “Day and Night” is free-wheeling contemporary jazz at its finest. Liebman and Murley feed off of each other with remarkable cohesion and empathy, constantly propelled by the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Jim Vivian and drummer Ian Froman. The result is live recording reflecting the true spontaneity of the moment.
Liebman and Murley each contribute an original composition to the CD complimented by a wonderful two-tenor version of the Tadd Dameron classic “Gnid”. Pianist Jeff Johnston joins the group for an extended tour de force of John Coltrane’s “India” to close the CD.
David Liebman – soprano and tenor saxophones, indian bamboo flute
Mike Murley – tenor and soprano saxophones
Jim Vivian – bass
Ian Froman – drums