Dave Le Febvre has composed and arranged over 50 original compositions for big band and more than 200 compositions and arrangements for small ensembles. His works have been performed by Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole and many others in jazz festivals throughout the world. His experience with groups like The Don Piestrup Big Band and The Don Ellis Orchestra early in his career helped to inspire a creative and ever-evolving approach toward jazz exploration. Whether his music is labeled "fusion" or "straight-ahead," it is always based on a melodic and intensely rich harmonic concept.

Dave's most recent CD, "Robo-Bop," features original straight-ahead and Latin jazz compositions performed by his quintet. Dave performs on soprano and tenor saxophones with John R. Burr on piano, Brian Pardo on guitar, John Shifflett on bass and Alan Hall on drums. Pianist Billy Childs also makes a special guest appearance on this recording.

Dave's new CD will be coming this Fall, featuring Dave on saxophones, flute and EWI, Murray Low on keyboards, Jean Michel Hure on buitar, Dan Feiszli on bass and Curt Moore on drums. Keep an eye out for Dave's new CD release party... coming this Fall!

"Outstanding soprano and tenor work."
-- Dan Jacobsen, KLON, Long Beach, CA

"Le Febvre deserves a lot of credit for being contemporary without sounding poppish."
-- Dan Bayer, East Lansing, MI

"Le Febvre displays ample ability on his instruments and has assembled a fine group."
-- Mike Quinn, KUT, Austin TX

"They play through Latin, funk and lots of up-tempo things -- all with a distinctly personal and jazz-based consciousness."
-- Phil Elwood, San Francisco Examiner

Robo-Bop (LaPhase Music, 2001)

The music on this CD represents some of my compositions spanning the last 20 years. I have had many different influences and sources of inspiration to draw from over the years, as well as some great players to perform with. My thanks to all of the great saxophone players and jazz composers who have inspired me in the past as well as today.

1) Robo-Bop is basically a rhythm tune with a few turns and alterations of the standard chord changes. When I was composing the opening bass line I wanted to write a distinctive line, so that you could recognize the song after the third or fourth note. The head (melody) is a counter melody that supports the bass line. The bridge of the tune is obviously a bop line.

2) Something Personal was inspired by the late, great Don Grolnick. I refer to his bass line on Nothing Personal with total respect. I have enjoyed his use of humor and wit, something that seems to have been lost in jazz over the past 10 years. When Don passed away in 1998, I felt like I had lost a friend even though we had never met. In listening to his music, you couldn't help but feel that you were getting a glimpse of his personality with each note that was played. I think that is one of the highest compliments I could give a composer.

3) Say Goodbye is a tune about letting go of people and things.

4) Song for Lianna is a ballad I wrote for my wife. Lianna is a continual source of inspiration and joy, as is our daughter, Alisa.

5) Ask Yourself is a tune inspired by Dr. David Tucker. "Doc", as we call him, invited me to become part of the staff at UC Jazz Ensembles in Berkeley back in the 70's. He has been very supportive of me as a composer and performer. Doc would often pose a question with, "Now ask yourself... "

6) The Big If is a three-four blues with a bridge. I was inspired by John Scofield when I wrote this to feature one of my closest friends, guitarist Jean-Michel HurŽ. I recorded this tune on my last CD, but the tune took on such a different character while we were touring in France as a quartet that I felt it was worth recording again.

7) The Answer is a tune that I wrote in the early 80's while living in LA. I had a seven-piece band and wrote this as a flugelhorn feature. The tune was inspired by Randy Brecker.

8) At This Point in Time was written in the 70's. I was listening to Joe Henderson a lot in those days. I was also influenced by Joe Farrell and Wayne Shorter during this period.

9) John Burr and I go back many years, and I thought it would be fun to play a duet together. In a Sentimental Mood is one of my favorite tunes by Duke Ellington.

Dave Le Febvre in concert

The Jazzschool Big Band
A Free Concert at the Jazzschool
Thursday, June 19th at  8:30 PM

The Dave LeFebvre Quartet 
Live at Anna's Jazz Island 
Wednesday July 23rd at 8 and 10 PM

The Dave LeFebvre Quartet
The Jazzschool 
Sunday October 26th at 4:30 PM

The Jazzschool Big Band
Jazz in the Park, Danville 
Sunday October 19th from 1-3 PM
Admission is free