Jazz Ensemble

The Black Cat: Celebrating the Life and Music of George Freeman

This past spring, the jazz world lost legendary Chicago guitarist George Freeman (1927–2025). Throughout his remarkable 80-year career, Freeman performed with icons such as Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Gene Ammons, and his brother, NEA Jazz Master Von Freeman (1923–2012). He was a remarkable soloist and a prolific composer. The Jazz Ensemble has selected compositions from his extensive oeuvre to celebrate Freeman’s important musical legacy.