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Von Freeman Approaches 85, No Signs of Slowing Down |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Saturday, 11 August 2007 |
"People ask me why I didn't leave Chicago? It's because I love Chicago and it loves me." - Von Freeman
 Von Freeman © Jimmy Katz
Von Freeman turns 85 this year. The iconic Chicago saxophonist created a unique and captivating tenor style in the 1940s and 50s but didn't lead his first recording in 1972 at the age of 49. When Freeman was in his 70s and playing better and stronger than ever, he began a series of albums that have made him a cover story in major jazz magazines, a much-demanded performer at festivals the world over, and the recipient of a mayoral proclamation (with a street named for him), as well as a doctorate from Northwestern University, at the age of 80. You can catch Von Freeman with his quintet at Chicago's Green Mill jazz club on Friday, August 17 at 9pm and on Saturday, August 18 at 8pm.
 Von Freeman © Andrea Canter
Born Earl Lavon Freeman on October 2, 1922, on the South Side of Chicago, Von (or "Vonski," to use his universally known nickname) grew up in a musical household that also gave us his younger brothers George, a well-known Chicago guitarist, and drummer Bruz, who retired from music in the 1960s after a series of records on Contemporary with the Hampton Hawes Trio. As a toddler, Von heard Louis Armstrong – not in a dance hall but in his own living room, when Armstrong (a family friend) would come to visit. Fats Waller also visited the Freeman household. To this day, Von will point at the beat up piano in his living room and say, “Fats Waller played that piano.” At age 6, Von broke the horn off his father’s Victrola, pieced it together with a wooden mouthpiece, and started wailing into his very first “saxophone.” His father relented (if only to protect his prized Victrola!) and bought young Von a real instrument; by age 12, he was playing in a nightclub in Gary, Indiana, sporting a large hat to cover his youthful features.
He turned down an offer from Earl "Fatha" Hines to stay in school, where he would learn even more about music than if he’d gone on the road with Hines. Von attended DuSable High School, where he studied under the famed band director and educator Captain Walter Dyett – whose instruction and discipline Von credits to this day. In the early 1940s, he performed with Horace Henderson's Orchestra before heading off to the Navy – where he took part in the “Great Lakes Experience,” the military’s historic experiment in desegregating the armed services through music by preparing black bands to perform for white sailors.
 Von Freeman © Noel Neuberger
Remaining in Chicago to raise his family, Von played in a wide variety of venues at home – from Calumet City strip clubs to southside blues bars to northside jazz clubs – before establishing his ongoing Tuesday night jam session at the New Apartment Lounge, on a block of 75th Street renamed “Von Freeman Way” in 2002. These sessions have become a beacon for aspiring musicians; among those to have “graduated” (with honors) from the New Apartment are saxist Steve Coleman, multiple-Grammy-nominated vocalist Kurt Elling, and Von’s own son, saxist Chico Freeman. In the last several years, Von has also enjoyed a deepening friendship with the acclaimed young pianist Jason Moran, who appears on his previous Premonition release, The Improvisor.
The DownBeat Magazine cover story on Von that appeared in early 2001 helped create a new round of publicity and excitement about this ageless wonder’s music; recent events have included his 80th Birthday Concert at Symphony Center, a birthday tribute at the Chicago Jazz Festival, his honorary doctorate from Northwestern, and a Chicago “Heroes” Award presented by the National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences.
Hear the Von Freeman quintet this weekend at the Green Mill Friday, August 17, 9pm-1am an don Saturday, August 18; 8pm-midnight. The cover charge is $10. The Green Mill is located at 4802 N. Broadway Ave in Chicago. Call 773-878-5552 or visit www.greenmilljazz.com for more information.
Biographic information is from Premonition Records www.premonitionrecords.com
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 Saturday, 11 October 2008
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