Dave Liebman - Ceremony (2014)

With 'Ceremony', the acclaimed saxophonist Dave Liebman makes his own unique contribution to New York's rich Afro-Latin music culture. His beautiful flute, tenor, and soprano sax lines soar over the rhythms played by young virtuosic percussionists throughout this beautifully haunting record.
They provide a cultural context evoking the spirit of John Coltrane, particularly in the three opening pieces which were penned by Trane and arranged by Lieb. Along with the Coltrane cuts, the pieces "Danza" and the traditional "Tardes", also featured are three "Ceremony" pieces Dave calls "Morning", "Afternoon" and "Evening", which centre around one theme adjusted for each of the chosen modes encased in odd meter bass and drum lines.

David Liebman is considered a renaissance man in contemporary music with a career stretching over forty years. He has played with many of the masters, including Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and McCoy Tyner. He has performed on over 500 recordings with over nearly 200 as a leader/co-leader, featuring several hundred original compositions.

"Liebman is among the most important saxophonists in contemporary music...a leader and artist of integrity and independent direction." - Downbeat Magazine

"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." - Ben Ratliff, NY Times