Guest artists Expansions: Dave Liebman Group will perform at Hope College on Monday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the John and Dede Howard Recital Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts.
“Expansions” is Grammy-nominated Dave Liebman’s new group, and it looks toward the present generation of jazz musicians who have been schooled in conservatory and university settings. Liebman is continuing the tradition of master/apprentice he experienced in the 1970s with drummer Elvin Jones and Miles Davis, by reaching across generations to teach and learn from them.
Midwest Record has praised the group, saying that it “is no look towards the past. Expansions exists in the present, pushing boundaries, toying with expectations and letting the spirit of the moment determine the course.”
“Expansions” features Bobby Avery (piano), Matt Vashlishan (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet), Alex Ritz (drums, frame drum) and Tony Marino (electric and acoustic bass). The repertoire traverses elements of free jazz and re-arrangements of standards all infused with time signatures and harmonies being explored by the new jazz artists of today. The group’s first recording, “Samsara,” was released in 2014 (Whaling City Sound).
Liebman’s career has spanned more than four decades, beginning in the 1970s as the saxophone and flautist in both the Elvin Jones and Miles Davis Groups. He has continued as a leader since then, while playing on more than 100 recordings under his leadership or co-leadership. In jazz education, Liebman is a lecturer and author of several books, including “Self Portrait of a Jazz Artist” and “Developing a Personal Saxophone Sound.” He is the founder and artistic director of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, existing since 1989, and currently artist-in-residence at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Liebman’s awards include Jazz Educators Network Legend of Jazz (2013); National Endowment of the Arts Masters of Jazz (2011); the Order of Arts and Letters (2009); Jazz Journalist’s award for Soprano Saxophone (2007); a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Solo (1998); and an honorary doctorate from the Sibelius Academy (1997).
Liebman previously performed at Hope in 2002, 2007 and 2011.
Tickets for the concert are $10 for regular admission, $7 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, and $5 for children. Hope College students may receive free tickets by showing their college ID.
Tickets are available at the ticket office in the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890. Tickets are also available online at hope.edu/tickets.
The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.