In The Zone by Mike Freeman ZonaVibe

Mike Freeman & Spellbound’s 1985 self-titled debut recording (following a tour of Portugal, cosponsored by the Fulbright Foundation and the American Embassy) was eclipsed six years later by the highly successful “Street Shuffle” with Jeff Jenkins, Dave Stryker, Kip Reed, and Graham Hawthorne. His next recording “Wiggle Stomp” reflects a deeper immersion in the Latin scene that began over ten years ago. With his latest CD “In the Zone”, Mike takes that exploration to yet another level. In this new album, listeners will taste and savor the considerable range of Mike’s marimba playing—along with the vibraphone—and his artistry and knowledge in bringing Salsa forms into a Jazz context. Bandmembers Bruce Saunders (guitar), Ricardo Rodriguez (bass), Little Johnny Rivero (congas), and Harry Adorno (timbales) all contribute serious sizzle of their own.

In addition to leading his own groups, Mike is a member of Ray Mantilla’s group (with Edy Martinez), which has toured Italy and recorded "Good Vibrations" for Savant records (Jazzweeks #1 Latinjazz recording on radio, 2006). He performs with singer Julio Salgado (from Orquestra Broadway and George Delgado) and recorded Fabulosos 70’s with Son Boricua (Jose Mangual Jr. and Jimmy Sabater). He’s recorded and performed with Lucho Cueto’s Black Sugar and recorded “Stretching the Truth” as a member of Mark Holen’s eclectic Latin blues group Zambomba.

Other credits include performing with Little Johnny Rivero’s sexteto, Jorge Jimenez’s Timba Vibes (creating the group’s book), and the Latin Legends concert at Aaron Davis Hall with the Harbor Conservatory Latin Band, directed by Louis Bauzó.

Outstanding musicians who have performed with Mike Freeman’s group—now called ZonaVibe—include Ed Uribe, Vanderlei Pereira, Harry Adorno, Ralph Irizarry, Little Johnny Rivero, Chembo Corniel, Renato Thoms, Norman Hedman, Cucho Martinez, Gerry Madera, Guillermo Edghill, and Ricky Rodriguez.

Additional endeavors include a Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert that Mike organized and produced at Manhattan Plaza (two 45-floor towers of performing artists in midtown Manhattan where he lives) featuring the R&B of Bobby Harden and Chris Carter, the jazz of David Schnitter’s quartet, the solo piano of Amina Claudine Myers, and Mike’s own Latinjazz group with Ray Mantilla. Proceeds went to Tipitinas Foundation for New Orleans–area musicians and the Humane Society.

New York University and the Berklee College of Music, among others, have hosted Mike as a guest artist/clinician. His music arranged for big band has been a successful component of his performances with jazz department ensembles. And a series (spanning several years) of commissioned compositions and arrangements for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Scholarship Program demonstrates his other musical expertise in addition to performing.

Past highlights include: the JVC Newport Jazz Festival in Saratoga, NY, a performance that prompted a memorable standing ovation; the Hennessy Greenwich Village Jazz Festival two years in a row; a Flood Relief Concert in Des Moines, Iowa; performing to a hometown audience of more than 5,000 at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha; and opening for Stan Getz in Boston. Mike’s highly successful tour of Portugal in the mid-1980s took him to every part of the country where he gave concerts and taught clinics. He also performed on Portuguese national radio and television. Dinners were given in his honor, and he received the medal of the city of Guarde.

Mike’s grandfather was a drummer and leader of Ron Freeman and the Melody Masters, a popular band that was heard on the radio in the Midwest. Neal Hefti played in his band before becoming famous in California. Mike’s paternal grandmother sang and played the organ and marimba. His maternal grandmother was a talented piano player in her youth. Mike’s father, Harry Freeman, worked his way through college playing the saxophone.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Mike Freeman began playing professionally at the age of thirteen. He started learning drums at five and became interested in jazz music by listening to drummers Max Roach and Buddy Rich. He played in local rock bands and a big band called Resurrected Swing that’s still in existence today. At twelve, he began playing the vibraphone, and by fifteen, he was a percussionist for the Omaha Symphony. He also gave lessons at the local music store. During his last year of high school, he began flying to Chicago to study with renowned percussionist and veteran studio musician Bobby Christian. Just before entering the School of Music at DePaul University in Chicago, Mike started to concentrate on the vibraphone and composition. In college, he began leading his own groups, performing at clubs, both in Chicago and Omaha, and working as a side musician. At DePaul, he studied with jazz pianist Alan Swain and saxophonist Tom Hilliard, and received a Bachelor of Music (composition) with high honors in 1981. In New York, where he’s lived and worked since 1981, Mike studied with composer/arranger Hale Rood, who wrote for Louie Bellson, and attended the BMI composers workshop.

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Discography

Mike Freeman ZonaVibe - In The Zone *New 2007

Mike Freeman -- Wiggle Stomp, VOF recordings

Charted on Gavin’s jazz radio chart * Aired on the nationally syndicated “Jazz After Hours” radio show * Heard on the “Joey Reynolds Show” WOR-AM radio network

Mike Freeman & Spellbound® -- Street Shuffle, Best Recordings

Major U.S. distribution and airlay * Charted Nationally: Gavin Jazz Chart, Gavin Adult Alternative Chart; Radio & Records chart; MAC Report chart * Aired on David Sanborn’s Nationally Syndicated Radio Show * United Airlines in-flight playlist

Mike Freeman & Spellbound, debut recording

Other recordings include:

Lucho Cuete's, Black Sugar (to be released)

Ray Mantilla, Good Vibrations Jazzweek's #1 Latinjazz recording, 2006

Son Boricua, Fabuloso 70's, 2004

Mark Holen Zambomba, Streching The Truth, 1997

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