David Friesen (born May 6, 1942) is an American jazz bassist. He plays double bass and electric upright bass.

Career

Friesen began playing bass while serving in the United States Army in Germany. He played with John Handy and Marian McPartland and following this, with Joe Henderson; in 1975, he toured in Europe with Billy Harper. His first album as a session leader appeared that year. In 1976, he began collaborating with guitarist John Stowell; the pair would work together often. He appeared with Ted Curson at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1977. Following this, he worked with Ricky Ford, Duke Jordan, Mal Waldron, and Paul Horn. His 1989 album Other Times, Other Places reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. He has also played with Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Garrett, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Personal life

Friesen is the younger brother of actress Dyan Cannon, and the uncle of actress Jennifer Grant. He is the son of Ashkenazi Jewish mother Claire (née Portnoy) and Canadian Mennonite father Ben Friesen. He was married to Kirsten Friesen from 1964 until her death in 2022; they had three children. He has since been remarried to Natalie Digtyar, a fashion designer from the Czech Republic.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Ted Curson With Kenny Drew With Ricky Ford With Billy Harper With Duke Jordan With Mal Waldron