Out May 23, 2025 on Meta Records (CD/Digital); LPs follow on July 15
When three giants of creative music convene, the result is rarely anything less than transcendent. On Beingness, percussion visionary Adam Rudolph joins forces with NEA Jazz Masters Dave Liebman (soprano sax, wood flutes) and Billy Hart (drums) for a remarkable live recording that defies genre and expectation. Captured live at The Stone in New York City in spring 2023, Beingness is the fourth in a celebrated series of trio releases by Liebman and Rudolph and will be available on May 23, 2025, via Meta Records (CD and digital), with vinyl editions to follow on July 15.
A Meeting of Icons
The roots of this project run deep. Liebman and Hart’s creative bond spans over 30 years, tracing back to their time with Miles Davis in the early 1970s. Rudolph’s collaborative journey with Liebman began in 2016, eventually leading to a rotating-trio format. When Tyshawn Sorey was unavailable for a key performance at The Stone, Hart stepped in—and lightning struck.
“I’ve admired Billy’s playing since I heard him with Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi Sextet,” says Rudolph. “To share this musical space with both Dave and Billy was a dream realized.”
Spontaneous Creation at Its Highest Level
Beingness is not just an album—it's a profound sonic exploration. Across nine improvisational tracks with evocative titles like “Unfolding,” “Transparent to Transcendence,” and the eponymous “Beingness,” the trio channels decades of innovation and improvisation into moments of musical clarity, surprise, and sublime communication.
“This music has a collaborative heart,” noted Audiophile Audition. “You can call it jazz, spontaneous composition, or non-genre instrumentalism—but it’s three-dimensional music.”
Liebman adds, “We opened our ears and hearts. The results were magical.”
Hart agrees: “We came to this with open ears, imagination, and a lifetime of preparation. That’s the key to being free in the music.”
An Organic Orchestral Experience
Known for his groundbreaking work with ensembles like Go: Organic Orchestra, Rudolph brings more than hand drums to the table. He uses thumb pianos, electronic processing, piano, and gongs, crafting what he calls “organic orchestrations.” Post-production became an extension of performance, with subtle enhancements inspired by world traditions like African instrument augmentation—what Rudolph calls the “shadow line” or “voice of the ancestors.”
“Beingness reflects the essential being of nature, which is change,” writes Rudolph in the liner notes. “Each gesture animates the infinite space between thought and non-thought.”
About the Artists
Dave Liebman, a saxophone and woodwind virtuoso with over 500 recordings to his name, is one of the most respected figures in jazz history. A veteran of Miles Davis and Elvin Jones’s bands, a Grammy nominee, and the founder of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, Liebman continues to inspire as both a performer and educator.
Billy Hart, also an NEA Jazz Master, boasts an incomparable resume including work with Otis Redding, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Stan Getz. A pillar of modern jazz drumming, Hart leads his own acclaimed quartet and teaches at Oberlin, NEC, and WMU.
Adam Rudolph is a pioneer of global fusion and creative music. His work with Yusef Lateef, Don Cherry, and countless others has cemented his legacy as a forward-thinking composer and rhythmic innovator. Through his ensembles and books like Sonic Elements, Rudolph continues to push the boundaries of musical thought.
Track Listing
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Unfolding – 7:27
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Transmutation – 7:08
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Intent – 5:50
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Pathways – 9:05
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Beingness – 2:50
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Refractions – 7:52
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Transparent to Transcendence – 6:48
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Remembering the Future – 9:25
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Mystique – 5:21
Recorded live by Edward Gavitt | Mixed/mastered by James Dellatacoma
All compositions by Liebman, Rudolph, Hart
Production, orchestration & electronics by Adam Rudolph
With Beingness, these three musical sages invite listeners into a space of deep listening, where the spontaneous becomes sacred. Whether you're a seasoned jazz devotee or a seeker of sonic frontiers, this album is an essential experience.
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