David Izenzon

David Izenzon (May 17, 1932 – October 8, 1979) was an American jazz double bassist. Izenzon was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. He graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, and later received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.Izenzon began playing double bass at the age of twenty-four. He played in his hometown before moving to New York City in 1961 where he played with Paul Bley, Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins, and Bill Dixon. He is best known for his association with Ornette Coleman, which began in October 1961. He played in Coleman's Town Hall, 1962 concert and played with him frequently from 1965 to 1968, often in a trio format with drummer Charles Moffett. During this time, Izenzon also recorded with Harold McNair and Yoko Ono. From 1968 to 1971, he taught music history at Bronx Community College and played with Perry Robinson and Paul Motian, but reduced his time in music in 1972 when his son became ill. In 1973 Izenzon received a Ph.D. in psychotherapy from Northwestern University. The following year, he co-founded Potsmokers Anonymous with his wife, Pearl. In 1975 he composed a jazz opera entitled How Music Can Save the World, dedicated to those who helped his son recover. From 1977, Izenzon worked again with Coleman and Motian, up until his death in 1979.

Izenzon had a heart attack and was dead on arrival at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He was survived by his wife and two sons.