David Friesen bass 1942 Tacoma WA
David began his musical career in1961, while stationed with the U.S. army in Germany. He is mostly self taught, but did take formal lessons and courses at the University of Washington after his discharge from the service. Some of his first gigs were with John Handy and Marion McPartland. He then spent several years with Joe Henderson's group in San Francisco. In the mid '70s, David played in Europe with local musicians and also with Ted Curson and Billy Harper. The first record Friesen cut was "Star Dance", featuring the guitarist John Stowell, with whom he had worked for several years. In 1983 he toured the USSR as part of Paul Horn's group.. Friesen will frequently perform his own compositions and experiment with various bass techniques. He also frequently plays the Oregon Bass, an electric solid-bodied instrument. David recently appeared twice in Scottsdale, with pianist Chuck Marohnic and his group.
Freddy Randal, Trumpet, 1921, England
Freddy Randall was mainly self taugh, and early in his career played dixieland and traditional jazz.. While serving in the British army, he formed a friendship with Johnny Dankworth and later performed with him, before they both joined a group called " Freddy Mirfield and his Garbage Men". After a year with Mirfield, Freddy formed his own group and toured Germany several times. He also played concerts successfully throughout England and the Continent and performed with numerous visiting American musicians such as Pee Wee Russell, Wild Bill Davison, Bud Freeman, Teddy Wilson, and Jimmy McPartland. In 1956 Randall brought his septet to the U.S. and made a successful tour of southern cities. This was part of an inter-union exchange arrangement that allowed Louis Armstrong to tour England. Freddy is a well-accomplished musician, capable of playing in numerous styles, especially the boisterous style of Beiderbecke and Billy Butterfield.
