David Liebman was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 4, 1946. He began classical piano lessons at the age of nine and saxophone by twelve. His interest in jazz was sparked by seeing John Coltrane perform live in New York City at clubs such as Birdland, the Village Vanguard and the Half Note. Throughout high school and college, Liebman pursued his Jazz interest by studying with Joe Allard, Lennie Tristano, and Charles Lloyd as well as taking a leading role in organizing musicians into a cooperative, Free Life Communication- all part of the lively New York “Loft” Jazz scene.

Upon graduation from New York University (with a degree in American History), he began to seriously devote himself to the full time pursuit of being a jazz artist. After some time spent with Ten Wheel Drive, one of the early jazz fusion groups, Liebman secured the saxophone / flute position with the group of legendary Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones. Within two years, Liebman reached the zenith of his apprenticeship period when Miles Davis hired him. These years, 1970-74, were filled with tours, recordings, and the incredible experience gained by being in the band stand with two masters of jazz. At the same time, Liebman began exploring his own music first in the Open Sky Trio with Bob Moses and then with Richie Beirach in Lookout Farm. This group recorded for the German based ECM label as well as A & M/ Horizon and toured India, Japan and Europe. In the U.S., Lookout Farm was recognized as number one in the category group deserving of wider recognition in the 1976 Downbeat International Critics Poll. In 1977, Liebman did a world tour with Chick Corea and by 1978 formed the David Leibman Quintet with John Scofield, Kenny Kirkland and Terumasa Hino as featured sidemen.

After several world tours and recordings by the quintet over three years, he reunited with Richard Beirach. They began performing and recording as a duo, as well as forming the group Quest in 1981. Beginning with George Mraz and Al Foster, the group solidified when Ron McClure on Bass and Bill Hart on drums joined in 1984. Through 1991, Quest recorded seven CDs, toured extensively and did many workshops with students worldwide. In the 1990s, the Dave Liebman Group, with Phil Markowitz on keyboards, Vic Juris on guitar, Jamey Haddad on drums and Tony Marino on bass recorded several CDs, toured Europe, Japan and Israel and pursued a very eclectic, contemporary style. As of late 1997, the Dave Liebman group became a quartet with Juns, Haddad and Marino.

Liebman has several books published on a variety of subjects, instructional videos, published Chamber music has contributed regularly to various periodicals such as the Saxophone Journal and IAJE’s Jazz Educators Journal. His teaching activities at universities and in clinic settings have taken him literally around the world. Primarily because of his varied musical interests, expertise on several instruments and ability to articulate the intricacies of jazz language and technique. Over the years, he has regularly received several grantees to study with him funded by the National Endowment of the Arts (U.S.) and the Canadian Arts Council. Liebman himself has received two NEA grants for composition (1980) and performance (1991). In 1989, he founded the International Association of Schools of jazz, an organization dedicated to networking educators and students from international Jazz schools through periodic meetings, exchange programs and newsletters.

In 1997, Liebman received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the prestigious sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, their first ever to a Jazz musician. In 1998, Liebman was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Jazz Solo for the recording of My Favorite Things from Thank You, John ( Arkadia). To this point, David Liebman has recorded dozens of CDs and albums under his own leadership and has been a featured sideman in nearly 200 others.

Over 175 of his original compositions have been recorded as well. From straight-ahead to chamber jazz, from fusion to avant-, his artistic output ranges across the spectrum. Yet he is remarkably consistent, as everything he does is marked by a singular conviction and a unique sense of adventure the distinctive traits of the unmistakable Liebman aesthetic. Establishing artist cooperatives, founding an association to serve as a voice for jazz schools, educating aspiring musicians, and leading by his creative example, David Liebman continues to leave his mark on the field of jazz education and is most deserving of induction into the IAJE Hall of Fame.