judge a book by skott freedman

Rich in tone and pungent with emotion, Freedman uses his voice as a true instrument, varying the expression and intensity with every note. The final product sends the listener on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Freedman's most recent release, "judge a book" (5/3/05), marks his first cover album and features guest collaborations with Jill Sobule, Edie Carey, and Mark Weigle. Fans voted favorite cover songs online at Freedman's website during 2003-2004 and the top 11 songs were recorded this past winter. From the anthemic "i'll be okay" to the mandolin-sprinkled "every little kiss" to the first-ever jazz rendition of Green Day's "basket case", Freedman's versatile voice soars throughout the album.

A native of New Jersey (like another down state "piano man"), Freedman grew up a child piano prodigy, winning statewide competitions by the time he was fifteen. He then began straying off the path of his classical mentors, writing music that was hauntingly beautiful and further developing his taste for dissonance. In many of his songs today, Freedman uniquely sustains a note just a second longer than the listener expects and then suddenly resolves it. In his faster songs, Freedman's fingers fly across the piano, amazing listeners at his speed and accuracy.

Lyrically, Freedman also excels in his undeniable talent to write personal songs that still connect to his listeners. "Freedman's lyrics offer consistent vision into his thoughts and emotions, rather than the occasional glimpses that most songwriters seem to offer," hailed Georgetown University's Hoya. Freedman keeps the listener interested, covering subjects as light as skinny dipping to the intense, darker side of things such as the loss of a loved one. He is a true songwriter with each song unfolding a story that initially invites the listener in, offers some insight into one of many raw emotions, and then gently shuts the door again.

Freedman's debut CD, "Swimming After Dark," independently released through Violent Yodel Records in 1999, has already sold over 2000 copies to date. It received rave reviews from national publications in Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and more. A four song ep, "Best Little Boy", was also released in the summer of 2000 as a limited in-between projects recording.

Freedman's third recording, "Anything Worth Mentioning", was released in 2001 as a follow up to his critically-acclaimed 1999 debut. "Anything Worth Mentioning" was Freedman's first full-band effort and featured the piano, bass, drums, percussion, banjo, and a special guest singer. It received glowing reviews from Billboard Magazine, Next Magazine, Musicdish, and more. It was also voted the #1 album on the OUTVOICE charts in May of 2001 and one of the top 40 albums of 2001. Freedman's fourth recording, "Some Company", featured new originals and returned to Freedman's earlier roots of solely voice and piano.

Freedman has appeared in Billboard Magazine, on NBC News, The Discovery Channel, ABC's "Daybreak", INDIE-MUSIC.com, GENRE, NEXT, and has appeared in concert with other artists such as Sophie B. Hawkins, Jill Sobule, SONiA from Disappear Fear, and Edie Carey.

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