Von Freeman Day
October 3, 1923 – August 11, 2012
Lester Leaps In
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Saxophonist Von Freeman was born on October 3, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois.
He played with everyone who passed through town, but opted for a life at home instead of life on the road.
Published by Jazz on the Tube in 2010.
“If you live in Chicago, if you live near Chicago, if you can get to Chicago, you’ve got to get yourself to the New Apartment Lounge and see Von Freeman and his friends tear it up Tuesday nights.
Born in ’22 (that’s right he’s 88), Von was one of the many students of the legendary Captain Dyett of DuSable High School on Chicago’s South Side (Sun Ra, Nat King Cole, Gene Amons, Clifford Jordan, Johnny Hartman, Milt Hinton, Dinah Washington, Eddie Harris etc.)
Von chose to stay in his community versus hitting the road.
He’s been called a “hard bopper” but that’s like calling Michelangelo a guy who paints ceilings.
Go see him.”
In Memoriam Von Freeman Earle Lavon “Von” Freeman Sr. (October 3, 1923 – August 12, 2012)
Ella Fitzgerald