George Freeman (guitarist)
George Freeman (born April 10, 1927) is an American jazz guitarist from Chicago. His brothers Von Freeman and Eldridge Freeman had jazz careers, as does his nephew, Chico Freeman.
George Freeman | |
---|---|
Freeman at the 2008 Chicago Jazz Festival | |
Background information | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | April 10, 1927
Genres | Jazz, soul jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Guitar |
Years active | 1940s–present |
Associated acts | Von Freeman, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jimmy McGriff |
Freeman's career began in the 1940s with trumpeter Joe Morris, followed by Tom Archia. He worked as a sideman for Lester Young and Charlie Parker when they came through town, and he recorded with Parker. Beginning in the 1950s he worked often with organist Richard "Groove" Holmes. After jobs with Gene Ammons and Shirley Scott, Freeman quit touring and spent most of his time in Chicago. He recorded his first album, Birth Sign (Delmark, 1969) with Sonny Burke and Robert Pierce.[1]
He has worked often with his brother, saxophonist Von Freeman, in addition to Kenny Barron, Maurice Brown, Bob Cranshaw, Sonny Criss, Deep Blue Organ Trio, Kurt Elling, Johnny Griffin, Red Holloway, Illinois Jacquet, Harold Mabern, Rene Marie, Les McCann, Jimmy McGriff, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Buddy Williams, Eldee Young, and John Young.[1]
In 2017, Freeman recorded an album with guitarist Mike Allemana.[2]
In 2005, 90 Going On Amazing was recorded and produced by Sirus XM Jazz Director Mark Ruffin and released by Blujazz in August 2017.[3]
Discography
As leader
- Introducing George Freeman Live with Charlie Earland Sitting In with Charles Earland (Giant Step, 1971)
- Birth Sign (Delmark, 1972)
- Franticdiagnosis (Bam-Boo, 1972)
- Man & Woman (Groove Merchant, 1974)
- New Improved Funk (Groove Merchant, 1974)
- Rebellion (Southport, 1995)
- George Burns! (Southport, 1999)
- At Long Last George (Savant, 2001)
- All in the Family with Chico Freeman (Southport, 2015)
- Live at the Green Mill (Ears&eyes, 2017)
- 90 Going On Amazing (Blujazz, 2017)
As sideman
With Gene Ammons
- The Black Cat! (Prestige, 1971)
- You Talk That Talk! (Prestige, 1971)
- Swinging the Jugg (Roots, 1976)
With Richard "Groove" Holmes
- "Groove" (Pacific Jazz, 1961)
- Tell It Like It Tis (Pacific Jazz, 1966)
- Welcome Home (World Pacific Jazz, 1968)
- The Groover! (Prestige, 1968)
With Jimmy McGriff
- Fly Dude (Groove Merchant, 1972)
- Concert: Friday the 13th - Cook County Jail (Groove Merchant, 1973)
- Giants of the Organ Come Together (Groove Merchant, 1973)
With others
- Johnny Griffin, Bush Dance (Galaxy, 1979)
- Red Holloway, Go Red Go! (Delmark, 2009)
- Illinois Jacquet, Loot to Boot (LRC, 1991)
- Les McCann, Oh Brother! (Fontana, 1964)
- Charlie Parker, An Evening at Home with the Bird (Savoy, 1961)
- Charlie Parker, One Night in Chicago (Savoy, 1980)
- Buddy Rich, The Last Blues Album Volume 1 (Groove Merchant, 1974)
- Shirley Scott, Mystical Lady (Cadet, 1971)
References
- Nastos, Michael G. "George Freeman". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- Reich, Howard (13 June 2017). "At 90, jazz legend George Freeman preps his next album". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- "Welcome to BluJazz.com". www.blujazz.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.