David Friesen is included in 2 recent separate polls as one of the 100 Greatest Jazz Bassists of all time, and one of 20 of the most influential jazz bassists in the history of jazz. In 1997 he was nominated for the best jazz bassist in the American Jazz Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Friesen was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame at the first induction ceremony Sept. 2007 and the Oregon Jazz Society Hall of Fame May 2012. 

David Friesen is included in 2 recent separate polls as one of the 100 Greatest Jazz Bassists of all time, and one of 20 of the most influential jazz bassists in the history of jazz. In 1997 he was nominated for the best jazz bassist in the American Jazz Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Friesen was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame at the first induction ceremony Sept. 2007 and the Oregon Jazz Society Hall of Fame May 2012. 

Friesen has written two musical scores for animated shorts, both of which have been Academy Award Nominees. David Friesen’s original composition Playground placed 2nd in the 2014 International Songwriting Competition with over 18,000 applicants. He has over 700 original compositions recorded on records and CD’s He is the author of 3 music books published by Hal Leonard Publishers.