The Von Freeman Centennial Celebration portends to be a special Jazz Series affair. Born Oct. 3, 1923, and named a 2012 NEA Jazz Master Fellow before his Aug. 11 passing that same year, Freeman remains one of the Windy City’s most-beloved post-World War Two musicians of what is now referred to as “Chicago Saxophone Sound.” Freeman, among other icons, drew attention to the big, brawny, somewhat gruff improvisational style, now synonymous with the Windy City. Though he did perform on every continent during his seven-decade career, he spent most of his time in Chicago. He never left; he raised a family and led a decades’-long weekly jam session at The Apartment Lounge. Freeman influenced and mentored generations of jazz musicians-to-be including saxophonist Chico Freeman, his son, now 74, and well-respected trumpeter Brad Goode.
Chico Freeman’s first Columbia appearance dates to the late 1980s; his most recent: 2018 when, aside from performing, he formally dedicated the Jazz Series’ Von Freeman Memorial Library, a 9,000 CD/LP collection open to the public.
Appropriately, Freeman and Goode join forces to help us celebrate “Vonski’s” 100th; they’ll be working with guitarist Mike Allemana, who frequently shared the stage with Von, bassist Christian Dillingham and drummer Kyle Swan.
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023
Location: Whitmore Recital Hall (505 Hitt St. Columbia, MO 65201)