David Friesen
David Friesen is an American jazz bassist. He plays double bass and electric upright bass.
Career
Friesen began playing bass while serving in the United States Army in Germany. He played with John Handy and Marian McPartland and following this, with Joe Henderson; in 1975, he toured in Europe with Billy Harper. His first album as a session leader appeared that year. In 1976, he began collaborating with guitarist John Stowell; the pair would work together often. He appeared with Ted Curson at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1977. Following this, he worked with Ricky Ford, Duke Jordan, Mal Waldron, and Paul Horn. His 1989 album Other Times, Other Places reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. He has also played with Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Garrett, and Dizzy Gillespie.Personal life
Friesen is the younger brother of actress Dyan Cannon, and the uncle of actress Jennifer Grant. He is the son of Ashkenazi Jewish mother Claire and Canadian Mennonite father Ben Friesen. He was married to Kirsten Friesen from 1964 until her death in 2022; they had three children. He has since been remarried to Natalie Digtyar, a fashion designer from the Czech Republic.Discography
As leader/co-leader
Color Pool Star Dance Waterfall Rainbow Through the Listening Glass Other Mansions Paths Beyond Tracing Heart to Heart Storyteller Yet to Come with Linc Chamberland Voices Amber Skies Encounters with Mal Waldron Inner Voices Other Times, Other Places Departure Long Trip Home In Concert with Denny Zeitlin – live Two for the Show 1･2･3 Remembering the Moment with Eddie Moore, Jim Pepper, Julian Priester & Mal Waldron – rec. 1987The Spirit of Christmas with Jeannie Hoffman Ancient Kings with Airto Moreira, Gary Barone Returning with Glen Moore Three to Get Ready Upon the Swing Four to Go with John Gross, Gary Barone, Alan Jones – rec. 1995Facing the Wind with Leszek Możdżer Castles and Flags Still Waters with Ralf Illenberger, Ulrike Dinter Tomorrow's Dream Live at Jazz Bakery with Denny Zeitlin – live rec. 1996Grace with Jeff Gardner Made in Berlin with Uwe Kropinski With You in Mind with Gary Versace The Name of a Woman Midnight Mood: Live in Stockholm – live rec. 2002Made in Istanbul with Uwe Kropinski Connection Christmas at Woodstock Circle Of Three Brilliant Heart – rec. 2012Morning Star Textures with Christian Hassenstein, Joost Lijbaart Where the Light Falls Bactrian with Glen Moore Triple Exposure Structures Another Time Another Place My Faith, My Life Interaction Testimony Passage with Bob Ravenscroft Day of Rest – rec. 2020As sideman
With Ted CursonJubilant Power Snake Johnson – rec. 1980With Kenny DrewRuby, My Dear – rec. 1977
With Ricky FordManhattan Plaza
With Billy HarperBlack Saint
With Duke JordanDuke's Artistry The Great Session – rec. 1978
With Uwe KropinskiDancing with the Bass
With Mal WaldronOne Entrance, Many Exits
- ''Dedication''