Chicago Jazz Orchestra Septet Tribute to Freddie Green

[AllanAllen]

I’ve got my ticket!

Jeff Lindberg – leader
Eric Schneider – reeds (tenor, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Art Davis – trumpet
Russ Phillips – trombone
Reggie Thomas – piano, organ
Dennis Carroll – bass
George Fludas – drums
Michael Pettersen – rhythm guitar
Alyssa Allgood – vocal, special guest


This is special, and will take a little explaining. When my friend, guitarist Michael Pettersen told me about this project, I was immediately interested in making it happen at Studio5. And it was with intent that we landed on this date, just three days shy of Freddie Green's 115th birthday. For those who may not know, in the history of big bands, Count Basie's orchestra is recognized as having the grooviest rhythm section of them all. It always swung SO HARD. One of the main driving forces of that ensemble was the rhythm guitar of Freddie Green, the understated, persistent heartbeat of a swing machine. Seriously. He was aptly nicknamed "Mr. Rhythm" and guitarists still often refer to the "Freddie Green style".
Though everyone knew Freddie Green and loved his playing, he lived his life as a sideman. In his entire career Freddie recorded just one album as a leader, Mr. Rhythm, in late 1955. The LP was released in 1956 and Freddie filed away the charts. You can hear music from the album by clicking on the link above.
OK, fast forward to 2015 and Micheal Pettersen. Michael is not just a great guitarist and Freddie Green devotee. He is THE historian for Shure Microphones (I have been honored to take his fascinating tour through the Shure facilities) and so his interest in accuracy, authenticity and respect for the past runs deep. Michael knows Freddie Green's son, Alfred, and somehow (we'll get the full story onstage on March 27th) in circa 2015 Michael and Alfred were looking through bankers boxes from his Dad’s estate and saw the charts from Mr. Rhythm. Michael recognized the titles immediately. Michael told me, "The amazing thing was all the parts were there. Nothing was missing. The charts are now in my house."
Working with Jeff Lindberg, the director of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, they organized a subgroup of the CJO to recreate the music from Mr. Rhythm for live performance. They played one concert to a sold out house at Chicago's famed Jazz Showcase in August of last year. This Studio5 event will be just their second performance, ever. This group is truly a who's who of Chicago jazz musicians, including Reggie Thomas, the current pianist in the Count Basie Orchestra. The evening will also feature guest vocalist Alyssa Allgood, singing tunes associated with Freddie Green and/or Billie Holiday (they had a fling in the late 1930s!). What a night this will be! Hope you can join us. –SR

link to venue/tickets

Just a moment...

[Mick-7]

The start of a guitar trend? I just learned of their Tribute to Wes Montgomery album....

Chicago Jazz Orchestra: More Amor: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery album review @ All About Jazz

[AllanAllen]

The recording was broadcast on WDCB and will be available to stream at this link for a 1 week. Michael (the guitarist) is up front in the mix.

Chicago Jazz Live | 90.9fm WDCB

[brent.h]

Sometimes I wish I was an American so I could be closer these things in real life.

[mr. beaumont]

This is good stuff!

[joe2758]

Sometimes I wish I was an American so I could be closer these things in real life.

I thought you were American if that helps.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

The concert is fantastic, as is the commentary. Thanks!

Here’s another little known Freddie Green album that I love. I bought it years ago when it came out, and I still get a kick out of listening to it -