The LEADERS

Chico Freeman, Bobby Watson - as; Eddie Henserson – tp; Frederick Harris – p; Buster Williams – bass; Michael Baker, drums

They created a big stir in the 80s and 90s: The all-star band “The Leaders”. Releases on various labels (Black Hawk, Black Saint and Sunnyside) and international tours gained the band worldwide recognition. The bands members were none less than Arthur Blythe, Lester Bowie, Chico Freeman, Famoudou Don Moye, Cecil McBee and Kirk Lightsey.


Now the group has been revived. The initiators were Chico Freeman who remembered the “good old times” and had the great idea to create an ensemble composed of experienced “leaders again. Unfortunately, a few of the original members are no longer available. Lester Bowie has died in the meantime, Arthur Blythe could not participate for health reasons, etc. Consequently, an ensemble was formed around the core of the two legends McBee and Freeman, which is composed of experienced musicians who are big names in jazz on one hand, and on the other hand have often been on stage or in a studio together – blind trust was to be the basis. A trumpeter was quickly found with Eddie Henderson, who fit perfectly into the concept, and Bobby Watson was also enthusiastic about the project from the start. The fact that Billie Hart was involved was almost self-evident, since he has been friends with all of them for a long time. Only the pianist Fred Harris is perhaps not so well known (yet), even though he knows the other musicians of the band from joint performances and CD projects.

It finally happened in the summer 2006. Compositions were shared and worked out together in extended sessions and then a new CD was recorded during two days at Twinz Studios in New Jersey. The air was electric in the studio from the first note; the leaders interacted flawlessly and each individual was part of an ambience bursting with the joy of playing and creativity. Technical tricks or game-playing were superfluous with so much concentrated professionalism, and the first take was usually already the perfect take. It was immediately clear, since all were highly motivated, that only a CD recording would not suffice; a tour together was required. Consequently, plans for 2007 are already in an advanced stage, and the CD will be presented in various clubs and at festivals worldwide next year.

Chico Freeman & Barbara Dennerlein Duo

It is a particularly fascinating experience to watch Barbara Dennerlein on her organ B3 live on stage. As the most important and most successful German jazz export, she is as familiar with large international festival appearance. Chico Freeman and Barbara Dennerlein are bringing you in the world of swing and bebop, blues, soul, latin and funk.

From South American to Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, Freeman has performed and recorded with such Latin gerats as Tito Puente, Machito, Ifrakere, Arturo Sandoval, Celia Cruz, Giovanni Hidalog, Paulinho DaCosta, Nana Vasconcelos, Ray Barretto, Eddi Palmieri and Puerto Rico's famous El Gran Combo.

Born into a musical family, his father Von Freeman is the legendary tenor saxophone player, and his uncles George and Bruz play guitar and drums respectively. Freeman earned a mathematics scholarship to Northwestern University, and played trumpet in the school jazz band. He quickly learned that his heart was elsewehre, and eventually studied the tenor saxophone 8 to 10 hours a day until confident enough to challenge the sax section. He switched to a music major, and a great tenor player was born. Her graduated with a degree in music with proficiencies in saxophone, trumpet, and piano.

Following studies in advanced coposition and theory, he began teaching elemntary and intermediate courses at the Chicago-based AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) School of Music. While completing a Masters Degree in Composition and Theory at Governors State University, his memorable performance at the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival in South Bend, Indiana, with the Governors State's Jazz Band won Freeman awards as "Best Soloist", "Best Saxophonist", and a tour of Brazil with the winning group.

Although jazz was the first music Freeman was exposed to, many of his early professional gigs were at Chicago clubs with such blues artists as Mimphis Slim, and Lucky Camichael. Freeman went on to play with pop and R & B greats The Temptations, The Four Tops, Jackie Wilson, The Dells, The Isley Brothers, and The Eurythmics.

After arriving in New York in the 70's, he immediately bean working with Jeanne Lee, Mickey Bass, John Stubblefield, and Cecil McBee. Through apprenticeships in New York and abroad with such innovators as Elvin Jones, Don Pullen, Sam Rivers, Sun Ra, and Jack DeJohnette, Freeman developed his own group and rapidly rose to prominence with his energetic and exploratory style.

A legendary concert at Lincoln Center in June 1982, by The Young Lions, a group critics hailed as the brightest hopes of jazz in the 1980's – Chico Freeman, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito Urivera, Kevin Eulbanks, Anthony Davis, and others – produced an album on which Freeman plays nearly every cut. His 14-minute composition "Whatever Happend To the Dream Deferred" was called "one of the best of the album" by the New York Times.

In 1986, when superstar bands were being organized by promoters in Europe, Freeman brought together The Leaders – an all-star sextet of internationally recognized bandleaders. The group, consisting of Cecil McBee, Kirk Lightsey, Lester Bowie, Arthur Blythe, and Famadou Don Moye, set the standard for eclectic and innovative music from a band comprised entirely of composers.

In 1991, during the 150 year anniversary celebration of the invention of the saxophone by Adolphe Sax, the band Roots was formed. This band consisted of internationally known saxophonists Nathan Davis, Benny Golson, Arthur Blythe, and Chico Freeman. Adding Buster Williams (bass), and Winard Harper (drums), this band is still touring the world, and delighting audiences with their unique arrangements, and brilliant improvisaion.

With his electro-acoustic band Brainstorm, Freeman continues to push the envelope of waht is happening in music. This band features seasoned professionals and younger players in a wonderful mix or world music, Latin rhythms, African heritage, and hip hop energy incorporating traditional jazz sensibilities and instrumenation, with the best that midi technology has to offer. It is music that makes you want to move, and bridges the gaps between generations. It truly brings jazz to the forefront of music, and introduces it, yet again, to another age of listeners.

Currnetly Chico is touring with his own quartet, his quintet with longtime partner Arthur Blythe, his father Von Freeman, Roots, and Brainstorm as well as guest starring with many up and coming musicians. He truly is "playing it all".