The "Best of Von Freeman on Premonition" is a wide ranging box set of music and video covering an important portion of the legendary performer's distinguished career. A living history of jazz music (born 1922), Freeman was fortunate to have the music brought to him at an early age. His father worked nights as a security guard at the famed clubs along 35th and State and would invite legends such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Lester Young home for a hot meal and a warm environment. To say the least, young Freeman sucked it all in. With tenor saxophone -- a "Chicago" tenor -- he became a key figure on the City's vibrant jazz scene, in a mind blowing variety of styles. Between 2001 and 2006, Premonition released four Freeman albums all to critical acclaim. These recordings magnified Freeman's cult popularity into something a great deal more. If you would know the essence of "Vonksi" - what he means, says, and is -- just start here.
Includes:
Over 135 minutes of music on 2 CDs culled from Freeman's four records on Premonition released between 2001-2006
3 Bonus tracks never before released on CD including "Moose the Mooche," "It's Impossible," and "This is Always"
Featured artists include Jimmy Cobb, Jason Moran, Richard Wyands, Bobby Peterson, John Webber, among others.
DVD including two extended and never before released film clips of Freeman. Title 1 is a 15 minute video of the ceremony celebrating the street renaming of 75th St in Chicago as "Von Freeman Way" and features an extended oration by Freeman that is touching, smart and historic. Title 2 is a video presentation of a live, 45 minute interview with Freeman conducted by critic Neil Tesser for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. The interview is wide ranging and informative. The then 82-year old Freeman talks extensively about the many musicians he's worked with over his long career including Sun Ra, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin and Capt Walter Dyett, a legendary Chicago educator, among others.
Long form essay on Freeman by Neil Tesser
Beautiful Slipcase pagkaging by Steve Byram including original watercolor.
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