Skip to main content
Friedman Banner

 

David Friedman is considered to be one of the most influential vibraphonists in the history of the instrument. Internationally renowned as a vibraphonist, marimbist, composer and jazz educator, he has his own musical message, born of fascinatingly diverse musical influences.

Having worked with such varied musical personalities as Leonard Bernstein, Luciano Berio, Bobby McFerrin, Wayne Shorter and Yoko Ono, few jazz musicians can claim as broad a spectrum of performing and recording experience.

The list doesn`t stop there. Friedman has been heard either live or on recordings with, among others, Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, Johnny Griffin, Hubert Laws, Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Carter and John Scofield. Friedman’s vibraphone and compositions are both featured on Chet Baker’s award winning Enja release Peace, with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Joe Chambers.

A dedicated and renowned educator, David Friedman founded the jazz program at Berlin’s University of the Arts, and served as its head for sixteen years. He continues to perform masterclasses throughout Europe, North America and Japan. His book, Vibraphone Technique, Dampening and Pedaling, is considered to be the Bible of mallet instruction books.

In 1977, Friedman co-founded the unique vibe-marimba quartet Double Image, with Dave Samuels. Their first recording, Double Image, was nominated for a German “Grammy”, and has just been re-released as a special edition by Enja Records. Friedman’s Enja release Shades of Change, with pianist Geri Allen, bassist Anthony Cox and drummer Ronnie Burrage, was voted by Downbeat magazine as “One of the year’s best 20 CD’s”.

Cover Image
Friedman Cover Photo

Contributed Content

Some content may be restricted to
Registered Members, or
Subscribing Members.
Content type Authored
that's how I work on my time Video Upload 02/23/2018 - 18:03
classical warm up (one of my favorite warm ups) Video Upload 02/13/2018 - 18:42
TOTM - Flamenco Sketches - practice your solo-vibes chops - by David Friedman Video Upload 02/08/2018 - 15:18
give your voicings more character - David Friedman Lesson Video Upload 01/25/2018 - 09:18
Linear warm up improv -V Audio Player 01/22/2018 - 05:51
David Friedman's Announcement! (Joins Malletech!) -V Video Embed 01/20/2018 - 12:04
Freddie Green Style - By David Friedman Video Upload 01/20/2018 - 11:21
clarifying legato and marcato sticking Video Upload 01/10/2018 - 19:56
Phrasing Part 5 -Slur Effect - QDV by David Friedman -V Video Upload 10/31/2017 - 21:26
Phrasing Part 4 -Double Sticking - QDV by David Friedman -V Video Upload 10/30/2017 - 10:33
Phrasing Part 3 - More Vocal Phrasing - QDV by David Friedman -V Video Upload 10/18/2017 - 20:45
Phrasing Part 2 - Imitating A Guitar - QDV by David Friedman -V Video Upload 10/15/2017 - 21:40
Vocal Phrasing Blog entry 10/13/2017 - 19:59
Phrasing Part 1 - Vocal Phrasing - QDV by David Friedman -V Video Upload 10/11/2017 - 14:02
Bonn Jazz Festival with Michael Schiefel Video Embed 09/28/2017 - 18:39
DF New Trio "Turn Left", by David Friedman Audio Player 09/28/2017 - 12:16
Raga 1 Audio Player 05/05/2017 - 04:23
Musings on "Up Jumped Spring" Audio Player 05/02/2017 - 12:38
David Friedman Playing Our TOTM - Minority Video Embed 04/20/2017 - 16:45
Friedman Sessions: Livestream Blog entry 09/08/2016 - 10:01
Tribute to Bobby Hutcherson Blog entry 08/16/2016 - 12:05
Groovin' High straight eights Audio Player 08/16/2016 - 06:37
Donna Lee medium/slow tempo Audio Player 07/24/2016 - 13:05
Donna Lee workout Audio Player 07/24/2016 - 07:10
Jamming on "Emily" Audio Player 06/18/2016 - 07:21