October 12, 2018
7:00PM
Sherman Park
1301 W 52nd St
Chicago, IL
Von Freeman’s son, world-renowned saxophonist Chico Freeman and guitarist brother George Freeman illustrate how the family’s musical voice and traditions are directly connected and carried forward into the future. With reedsman Ari Brown, drummer Ernie Adams and bassist Harrison Bankhead.
July 5: Gent Jazz Festival – Main Stage – 20:30
I’m pleased to bring my American group with Anthony Wonsey on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, Rudy Royston on drums and from the UK, we have the great Anthony Kerr on vibes performing on July 5 on the Main Stage at the Gent Jazz Festival in Belgium at 20:30.
July 14: North Sea Jazz Festival – Madeira – 22:30
It is has been a while since I last played the North Sea Jazz Festival, so it’s very gratifying that I bring my own group to the world renowned festival. We’ll be closing out the Madeira Stage following Netherlands.NL, Jazzmeia Horn, and Fred Hersch Trio.
July 15: Jazz Open Stuttgart – Bix Club – 19:30
After the finale of the World Cup, we’ll have our own celebration as we’ll be performing at the Bix Club with me on tenor, Rudy Royston on drums, Kenny Davis on bass and Anthony Wonsey on piano. I hope you’ll join us.
I’m delighted to return to Healdsburg as guest with the Festival All-Stars with
Bobby Watson, Azar Lawrence, David Weiss, Billy Hart, Babatunde Lea with the George Cables Trio (first set) at the Healdsburg Jazz Fest, Saturday, June 9, 7 p.m, at Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North Street, Healdsburg, CA
Then, Sunday June 10 is going to be really special at Bach Dynamite and Dancing Society. It’s been a long time since I’ve played at this wonderful venue on Half Moon Bay and it’s also a reunion with me, drummer Billy Hart and pianist Fred Harris who together were part of the Leaders, plus we are introducing a wonderful young bassist from Seattle, Evan Flory-Barnes. Tickets
Doors open at 3:30 pm; Music starts at 4:30 pm
Two one-hour sets with intermission, typically ends 7:00–7:30 pm
Catered meals, small plates, and bar available 3:30–6:00 pm
Advance online ticketing available through Saturday
Tickets sold only at the door on Sunday (higher price than online)
All seats reserved, purchase early for best price and selection
New York City Jazz Record named Chico Freeman Plus+tet among the best 10 concerts of the year for 2017. For their first New York City shows in 2018, the group is making their debut at Smoke Jazz Club from Friday, March 9 through Sunday March 11 with:
Chico Freeman – tenor saxophone
Theo Hill – piano
Kenny Davis – bass
Rudy Royston – drums
Smoke Jazz and Supper Club
2751 Broadway New York, NY 10025
212.864.6662
Shows at 7:00, 9 and 10:30pm
Tickets available here
The “We Always Swing”® Jazz Series, Central Missouri’s only all-jazz, community-based project founded in 1995, will officially recognize the late Von Freeman (Oct. 3, 1923-August 11, 2012), Chicago’s iconic tenor saxophonist and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master recipient, in a public dedication of the organization’s namesake 7,000-CD/LP and literature lending library. Chico Freeman, Von Freeman’s son, will be on hand to serve as “Honorary Host” and participate in the ceremony, which takes place Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m., in the University of Missouri’s Stotler Lounge in Columbia, MO.
The event, which will include some visual clips and accompanying remarks, is free and open to the public. “My father was a consummate musician,” says Chico Freeman, speaking from New York City where he now lives, having returned in the last couple of years after living in Europe for a decade. “My father was a great human being and a great father. He was always reaching out to help others. My father always did what he thought was right – always. He instilled that in me. He went through a lot and he came out of it a stellar human being. It was his example that allowed me to realize [that I needed to] rise above everything we have to deal with today. He never had held a grudge; he never held anything against anyone. He hired anyone no matter their color. He told the truth about who he was and what he knew. He was dedicated to what he did.”
On Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m., the Chico Freeman Plus+tet performs in concert at Whitmore Recital Hall in the MU Fine Arts Building with:
Chico Freeman – tenor saxophone
Anthony Wonsey – piano
Kenny Davis – bass
Mark Whitfield, Jr. – drums
Both Anthony Wonsey and Kenny Davis were mentored by Chico’s father Von Freeman in their early days in Chicago. Mark Whitfield, Jr. was mentored by and recorded with his father, guitarist Mark Whitfield.
As of this writing, only a few tickets remain. They can be purchased through the Jazz Series Box Office – 573.449.3009 – or online at ticketmaster.com.
October 17-22, Chico Freeman headlines the Village Vanguard. “Any musician who has headlined the Village Vanguard will attest there is no other venue like it in the world, says Freeman. “I certainly have always felt that, and while it’s been a very long time since I played there (I think the last time was with my father Von Freeman), I’m coming home Tuesday, Oct 17 through Sunday, Oct 22, 2017!” Tues through Thurs, the Chico Freeman Plus+tet will include Anthony Wonsey, Kenny Davis and Billy Hart on drums. Friday through Sunday Terri Lyne Carrington will take over the drum chair. On Thursday, Oct 19 and Friday, Oct 20 only, the evenings will be dedicated to the late Arthur Blythe. Blythe and Freeman recorded dozens of times and performed together with McCoy Tyner, The Leaders and Roots. Chico will be playing Arthur’s alto saxophone and for these two nights and Gust Tsilis (who was a long-time friend and musical partner of Blythe) will join the Plus+tet on vibes.
“Even though I’ve been back from Europe and living in New York for more than a year, playing the Village Vanguard truly feels like my homecoming. I hope you’ll join us and we’ll raise a toast together; to the music, to each other and to the Village Vanguard,” says Chico.
October 17-22, 2017 – 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM
Village Vanguard
178 7th Ave S,
New York, NY 10014
212 255-4037
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2fhKAWl
Chico Freeman Plus+tet
Chico Freeman: saxophones
Anthony Wonsey: piano
Kenny Davis: bass
Billy Hart: drums (Tues – Thurs)
Terri Lyne Carrington: drums (Fri – Sun)
Tribute to Arthur Blythe: Thurs and Fri only the Plus+tet will be augmented by vibist Gust Tsilis who was a long time friend and musical partner of Arthur’s, and Chico will be playing Arthur Blythe’s alto saxophone
Saturday, October 14 is going to be a special evening when Chico Freeman returns to Boston, Massachusetts. It’s been quite a few years since Chico has played in Boston, so it’s especially exciting the Chico Freeman Plus+tet will be performing on Saturday Oct 14 at the beloved Scullers Jazz Club. “Boston has always been a great jazz town for me so I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones,” says Chico. WGBH has chosen the Chico Freeman Plus+tet to be part of GBH’s 24/7 recorded live series, hosted by Eric Jackson. Chico will also be interviewed by Eric Jackson to air in the next few weeks on WGBH.
October 14, 2017 – 8 PM
Scullers Jazz Club
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston Cambridge
400 Soldiers Field Rd
Boston, MA 02134
(866) 777-8932
Chico Freeman Plus+tet
Chico Freeman: saxophones
Anthony Wonsey: piano
Kenny Davis: bass
Rudy Royston: drums
Friday, October 13, Chico Freeman Plus+tet debuts at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, CT. Named by Downbeat Magazine as one of the top 150 jazz clubs in the world, the group is looking forward to this performance at the Side Door in the quaint town of Old Lyme with its beautiful fall foliage.
October 13, 2017 – 8:30 PM
Side Door Jazz
85 Lyme St
Old Lyme, CT 06371
860 434-2600
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2gWUKiI
Chico Freeman Plus+tet
Chico Freeman: saxophones
Anthony Wonsey: piano
Kenny Davis: bass
Rudy Royston: drums