David Friesen's Circle 3 Trio: Triple Exposure

Origin Records
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Triple Exposure

I sometimes wonder what it must have been like, to be present at a concert given by one of the true masters. Well, I’ve never been lucky enough to catch bassist David Friesen in person, but — thanks to the magic of albums — I can listen to him any time I so desire. Anyone similarly lucky is blessed.

Friesen, now 74 years old, got his start with the ukulele at age 10; he graduated to the guitar six years later. At that point he was 19, during military service in Paris, sitting in with Johnny Griffin and Art Taylor; and then in Copenhagen, playing with Dick Berk and Ted Curson. 

After returning to the States in 1964, he committed himself to the bass, playing opposite artists such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans. Friesen also toured with Charlie Parker and Lionel Hampton. In 1973 he made his home in Portland, Oregon, and opened a coffee house. 

Flash-forward to the present day. Friesen has worked with most of the jazz giants, and has been featured as a leader or co-leader on more than 60 albums, and as a sideman on more that 100 others.

The Circle 3 Trio, Friesen’s newest group, features pianist Greg Goebel and drummer Charlie Doggett. Friesen composed and arranged all the tracks on this disc.

The term “concert jazz” frequently is used to describe the kind of music often presented in concert halls; this release is a perfect example. All the charts are performed at balladic tempos, and the result is some of the most gorgeous work ever recorded. And, yes; it’s absolutely true jazz. 

Friesen’s Hemage bass is one of only three made by Herman Elacher, from Hol, in Tyrol, Austria, not far from Innsbruck. It’s an electric, upright, headless instrument with an eccentric body shape. Friesen uses the Hemage for concerts, and an acoustic bass for most pure jazz performances.

Get this album, and listen for yourself. The tone, technique and concepts of Friesen’s music are unbelievably gorgeous.

David Friesen Circle 3 Trio: Where the Light Falls

Origin Records
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Where the Light Falls

In the beginning, the acoustic bass was a key instrument in the rhythm section: one that set, and helped maintain, a steady “beat” in the orchestra or combo in which it was used. It rarely was used to play a melodic line, unless a bow was involved. But that changed as time passed; the instrument evolved, and the artists’ skills improved. Today, you’re just as likely to hear complex melodic lines and solos featuring that “horn,” as on brass or reed instruments. Icons such as Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and David Friesen — the artist featured here — have led the way. 

Did you ever imagine attending a concert where a solo artist performed on the acoustic bass?  Friesen has done that. This double-CD release, however, features his Circle 3 Trio; he’s supported by pianist Greg Goebel and drummer Charlie Doggett. To make this splendid combo even better, guitarist Larry Koonse appears on nine of the 19. Friesen composed and arranged all of the music, which is another treat.

He was born in 1942 in Tacoma, Washington, to a musical family; his father sang, and his mother played C-melody saxophone. David grew up in the Spokane and Seattle areas, and began his musical career as a guitarist. However, while in the army he became enamored with the upright bass, and taught himself to play it. He was immediately hooked, practicing up to 10 hours a day. 

Although he was exposed to — and often sat in with — many jazz icons who passed through the Seattle area, Friesen didn’t move until 1973, when he opened his own coffee house in Portland, Oregon. Guitarist John Stowell joined Friesen in 1977, and they toured the West Coast together for years.

Goebel is another West Coast artist. His home territory covers Oregon, and that’s where most of his performances are heard. Doggett is another Oregonian who also can be found at the state’s various jazz clubs, particularly around Portland and at the two major colleges: the University of Oregon and Oregon State.

Readers of this blog know that Koonse is one of my favorite guitarists. His instrument of choice on this release is an electric model, and — as always — his contribution is impeccable.

The key words for this release are tasty and beautiful. These two hours of intelligent jazz will keep you riveted to the speakers.