DAVID FRIESEN
jazz bassist
composer
educator
Biography
David Friesen (b. May 6, 1942, Tacoma, Washington) is a highly influential American jazz bassist, composer, pianist, and educator—whose expressive artistry and creative breadth have earned him to placement among the top 100 greatest and 20 most influential jazz bassists of all time.
A Musical Journey Rooted in Early Discovery
Friesen’s musical roots trace back to a childhood moment in Spokane, Washington when, at age five, he mimicked a boogie-woogie tune he heard and began his lifelong pursuit of music. His instrumental journey began with the ukulele and accordion at age ten, progressing to professional guitar by sixteen. While serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Friesen shifted his focus to bass, embarking on daily intensive practice.
Collaboration & Career Highlights
A defining moment arrived when he sat in with George Arvanitas, Johnny Griffin, and Art Taylor in Paris, and later met Ted Curson in Copenhagen (1961). Returning to the U.S., he surfaced in Seattle’s vibrant scene, jamming with Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker—and even performing alongside icons like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans.
By the mid-1970s, Friesen was performing across Europe with Billy Harper (1975) and establishing a longstanding duo collaboration with guitarist John Stowell (1976). His solo bass debut at the Monterey Jazz Festival with Ted Curson in 1977 markedly amplified his visibility.
He has recorded over 80 albums as a leader or co-leader, and appeared on more than 100 recordings as a sideman. His 1989 album *Other Times, Other Places* reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard Jazz chart.
Collaborators span jazz royalty: Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Sam Rivers, Dizzy Gillespie, Mal Waldron, and countless others.
Artistry, Recognition & Impact
Praised as “ocean-deep in his sensitivity to the human spirit,” Friesen’s music combines jazz, folk, classical, and Jewish influences with lyrical warmth and spontaneity. Renown Journalist Nat Hentoff called him “a phenomenon… whose musicianship, tone, time, and imagination are uncategorizable.”
He was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Oregon Jazz Society Hall of Fame in 2012. His original composition “Playground” earned second place in the 2014 International Songwriting Competition among over 18,000 entries. He has also composed two Academy Award–nominated musical scores for animated shorts.
Recent Projects
& Ukrainian Inspiration
Friesen’s recent work reflects a deep connection to his Ukrainian heritage.
In 2017, he performed in his mother’s hometown Smila with Ukraine’s National Academic Symphonic Band—an emotional homecoming that deeply reinvigorated his artistry.
Subsequent tours and recordings in Ukraine (Kyiv, Cherkasy, Lviv, Kyiv’s Philharmonic Hall and 32 Jazz Club) with his Circle 3 Trio led to acclaimed releases like “Interaction” (2019) and “Testimony” (2020), featuring Ukrainian collaborators. More works—”A Light Shining Through” (with Mozart string quartet) and “This Light Has No Darkness Vol. 1” (with symphonic orchestra)have received stunning reviews.
Educational Outreach & Legacy
Beyond performance, Friesen enriches jazz through education—offering private instruction and workshops such as “How to Follow the Music in a Small Ensemble Context” and “Beyond the Note…Jazz Music Essentials”.
David endorses the bass strings he uses, made by Thomastik-Infeld (Vienna, Austria) and has traveled worldwide presenting music clinics supported by Thomastik-Infeld at more than 200 universities and music conservatories.
He is featured in “David Friesen: More Than Jazz”, a multi-series documentary that explores his life, creativity, and personal philosophy.
Playlist
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Personal Life
Away from the stage lights and studio microphones, David Friesen’s life has always been shaped by family, quiet devotion, and the same sincerity he brings to every note he plays. Born into a remarkably creative household, he is the younger brother of acclaimed actress Dyan Cannon and the uncle of actress Jennifer Grant—a family where artistry, faith, and expressive spirit naturally flourished.
For fifty-eight years, David shared his life with Kirsten Friesen, his first and enduring partner. Their marriage was not merely long—it was steadfast, deeply rooted, and filled with the same gentle patience and commitment that mark David’s musical voice. Together they raised four children, building a home that balanced the rhythms of family life with the unpredictable, beautiful cadence of a musician’s world. Kirsten’s passing in 2022 closed an extraordinary chapter—one defined by loyalty, humor, grace, and a companionship that carried David through decades of touring, composing, and creative evolution.
In time, life opened a new and heartfelt season. David later remarried Natalie Digtyar (Friesen), a fashion designer and a fitness trainer from the Czech Republic, whose warmth, elegance, and artistic sensitivity complement his own imaginative spirit. Her presence brings renewed color and joy to David’s personal world—a partnership grounded in mutual respect, creativity, and a shared appreciation for the simple, meaningful moments that inspire a life of music.
Through every chapter—family, loss, renewal—David’s personal life remains a reflection of the same qualities found in his art: depth, gratitude, grace, and an unwavering devotion to what truly matters.
