Introduction
George Freeman (born April 10, 1927) is an American jazz guitarist from Chicago. His brothers Von Freeman and Eldridge Freeman had jazz careers, as does his nephew, Chico Freeman.
Freeman's career began in the 1940s with trumpeter Joe Morris, followed by Tom Archia. He worked as a sideman for Lester Young and Charlie Parker when they came through town, and he recorded with Parker. Beginning in the 1950s he worked often with organist Richard "Groove" Holmes. After jobs with Gene Ammons and Shirley Scott, Freeman quit touring and spent most of his time in Chicago. He recorded his first album, Birth Sign (Delmark, 1969) with Sonny Burke and Robert Pierce.
He has worked often with his brother, saxophonist Von Freeman, in addition to Kenny Barron, Maurice Brown, Bob Cranshaw, Sonny Criss, Deep Blue Organ Trio, Kurt Elling, Johnny Griffin, Red Holloway, Illinois Jacquet, Harold Mabern, Rene Marie, Les McCann, Jimmy McGriff, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Buddy Williams, Eldee Young, and John Young.
In 2017, Freeman recorded an album with guitarist Mike Allemana.
In 2005, 90 Going On Amazing was recorded and produced by Sirus XM Jazz Director Mark Ruffin and released by Blujazz in August 2017.
Discography
- Birth Sign (Delmark, 1970)
- Introducing George Freeman Live with Charlie Earland Sitting In (Giant Step, 1971) with Charles Earland
- Franticdiagnosis (Bam-Boo, 1972)
- New Improved Funk (Groove Merchant, 1972)
- Man & Woman (Groove Merchant, 1974)
- All in the Game (LRC, 1977)
- Rebellion (Southport, 1995)
- George Burns (Orchard, 1999)
- At Long Last George (Savant, 2001)
- 90 Going On Amazing(Blujazz, 2017)
As sideman
With Gene Ammons
- The Black Cat! (Prestige, 1970)
- You Talk That Talk! (Prestige, 1971) with Sonny Stitt
With Johnny Griffin
- Bush Dance (Galaxy, 1978)
With Richard "Groove" Holmes
- "Groove" (Pacific Jazz, 1961), with Les McCann and Ben Webster
- Tell It Like It Tis (Pacific Jazz, 1961 [1966])
- The Groover! (Prestige, 1968)
- Welcome Home (World Pacific Jazz, 1968)
With Jimmy McGriff
- Fly Dude (Groove Merchant, 1972)
- Concert: Friday the 13th - Cook County Jail (Groove Merchant, 1973) with O'Donel Levy
- Giants of the Organ Come Together (Groove Merchant, 1973) with Groove Holmes
With others
- 1968 Rockin' in Rhythm, Sonny Criss
- 1985 Fly, Mister, Fly, Johnny Griffin/Joe Morris
- 1991 Loot to Boot, Illinois Jacquet
- 2001 1947–1948, Tom Archia
- 2001 Live in Chicago, Charlie Parker
- 2003 1946–1949, Joe Morris
- 2003 Canned Beer, Bradley Parker-Sparrow
- 2009 Go Red Go!, Red Holloway