HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

The Early Jazz of Bud Freeman

Birth of Swing Jazz: Bud Freeman

Bud Freeman

Born Lawrence Freeman on 13 April 1906 in Chicago, bandleader, Bud Freeman, also played clarinet and tenor sax. Freeman was an original member of the Austin High School Gang. In 1927 he moved to New York City and became a session player. He is thought to have first recorded with Red McKenzie and Eddie Condon's Chicagoans on December 8, 1927, for Okeh: 'Sugar' and 'China Boy'. The Chicagoans consisted of Freeman at tenor sax along with Condon at banjo, Jimmy McPartland (cornet), Frank Teschmacher (clarinet), Joe Sullivan (piano), Jim Lannigan (tuba / bass) and Gene Krupa at drums. These were the first recordings for all performers involved excepting McPartland who had begun his recording career three years earlier when he replaced Bix Beiderbecke in the Wolverine Orchestra. If McKenzie participated on these tracks in any way they wouldn't have been his first either, he also first recording in 1924. Freeman worked heavily in Condon's bands into the sixties.

'China Boy' McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans

Recorded 8 December 1927 in Chicago Matrix 82030-B Okeh 41011

Cornet: Jimmy McPartland Tenor sax: Bud Freeman

Clarinet: Frank Teschmacher Piano: Joe Sullivan Banjo: Eddie Condon

Tuba / bass: Jim Lannigan Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: Phil Boutelje / Dick Winfree

'Nobody's Sweetheart' McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans

Recorded 16 December 1927 in Chicago Matrix 82082-B Okeh 40971

Cornet: Jimmy McPartland Tenor sax: Bud Freeman

Clarinet: Frank Teschmacher Piano: Joe Sullivan Banjo: Eddie Condon

Tuba / bass: Jim Lannigan Drums: Gene Krupa Cymbals: Mezz Mezzroe

Composition: Gus Kahn / Ernie Erdman / Elmer Schoebel / Billy Meyers

Another huge figure entered Freeman's space when in April 1928 he first recorded next to Benny Goodman in the Californians, a band led by Ben Pollack: two takes of 'Singapore Sorrows' and 'Sweet Sue, Just You' unissued. Freeman would record numerously with Goodman into the forties, including with Goodman's orchestra. That was followed by a session with Wingy Manone and His Club Royal Orchestra on 4 September 1928 in Chicago before his first tracks as a leader later that year in Chicago on December 3, 1928, bearing 'Crazeology' and 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man' for Okeh. Freeman's career as a bandleader extended into the eighties.

'Crazeology' Bud Freeman & His Orchestra

Recorded 3 December 1928 in Chicago Matrix 402151-C Okeh 41168

Trumpet: Johnny Mendell Trombone: Floyd O'Brien

Clarinet / sax: Bud Jacobson Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Dave North

Banjo: Herman Foster Bass: Johnny Mueller Drums: Gene Krupa

Composition: Bud Freeman

'That Da-Da Strain' Louisiana Rhythm Kings

Recorded 11 June 1929 in NYC Matrix E30029 Vocalion 15828

Cornet / arrangement: Red Nichols Trombone: Jack Teagarden

Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Joe Sullivan

Drums: Dave Tough

Composition: Edgar Dowell / Mamie Medina

'Basin Street Blues' Louisiana Rhythm Kings

Recorded 11 June 1929 in NYC Matrix E30030-A Vocalion 15815

Cornet / arrangement: Red Nichols Trombone / vocal: Jack Teagarden

Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Joe Sullivan

Drums: Dave Tough

Composition: Spencer Williams

'After Awhile' Benny Goodman's Boys

Recorded 13 Aug 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-4035 Brunswick 4968

Trumpet: Wingy Manone Clarinet: Benny Goodman Tenor sax: Freeman

Piano: Joe Sullivan Banjo: Herman Foster

Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Bob Conselman

Composition: Bud Freeman / Benny Goodman

Freeman and Pee Wee Russell were constant companions into the sixties. Recording numerously with Dave Tough into the forties, another drummer with whom he often worked was George Wettling from 1930 into the sixties. As a session player Freeman backed all number of prominent names. He supported Hoagy Carmichael on May 21, 1930 in NYC toward 'Rockin' Chair' and 'Barnacle Bill the Sailor'. Participants in that session something illustrate the heady talent with which Freeman daily bumped shoulders: Bix Beiderbecke (cornet), Bubber Miley (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Arnold Brilhart (alto sax), Joe Venuti (violin), Irving Brodsky (piano), Eddie Lang (guitar), Harry Goodman (tuba), Gene Krupa (drums) and Carson Robison with Carmichael on vocals. Others whom he backed in the thirties included vocalist, Joe Haymes, and his orchestra as well as Ray Noble.

'Barnacle Bill the Sailor' Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra

Recorded 21 May 1930 in NYC Matrix 62301-1 Victor V38139

Cornet: Bix Beiderbecke Trumpet: Bubber Miley Trombone: Tommy Dorsey

Clarinet: Benny Goodman Alto sax: Arnold Brilhart Tenor sax: Freeman

Piano: Irving Brodsky Violin: Joe Venuti Guitar: Eddie Lang

Tuba: Harry Goodman Drums: Gene Krupa

Vocals: Hoagy Carmichael / Carson Robison

Composition: Carson Robison / Frank Luther

Freeman led groups from trios to bands of more than ten members. His first recorded trio went down on 17 January in New York City with Jess Stacy at piano and George Wettling on drums. Among his various orchestras was his Summa Cum Laude active from 1939 as an octet to 1958 as a trio with Bob Hammer (piano) and Mousie Alexander (drums). Freeman had appeared with his Summa Cum Laude in the Broadway production of 'Swingin' the Dream' in latter 1939.

'I Got Rhythm' Bud Freeman Trio

Recorded 17 Jan 1938 in NYC Matrix P22313-1 Commodore 502

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Jess Stacy Drums: George Wettling

Composition: Gershwin Brothers

'Exactly Like You' Bud Freeman Trio

Recorded 30 Nov 1938 in NYC Matrix 75960-A Commodore 513

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Jess Stacy Drums: George Wettling

Music: Jimmy McHugh Lyrics: Dorothy Fields

'I've Found a New Baby' Bud Freeman & His Summa Cum Laude Orchestra

Recorded 19 July 1939 in NYC Matrix BS038291-1 Bluebird B10370

Trumpet: Max Kaminsky Trombone: Brad Gowans Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Dave Bowman Guitar: Eddie Condon

Bass: Clyde Newcombe Drums: Danny Alvin

Composition: Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams

'The Eel' Bud Freeman & His Summa Cum Laude Orchestra

Recorded 19 July 1939 in NYC Matrix BS038294-1 Bluebird B10386

Trumpet: Max Kaminsky Trombone: Brad Gowans Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Dave Bowman Guitar: Eddie Condon

Bass: Clyde Newcombe Drums: Danny Alvin

Composition: Bud Freeman

'Shim-Me-Sha-Wabblel' Bud Freeman & His Famous Chicagoans

Recorded 24 July 1940 at Liederkranz Hall in NYC

1 of 2 takes issued on either Epic LN24047 or Columbia 35856

Trumpet: Max Kaminsky Trombone: Jack Teagarden Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Dave Bowman Guitar: Eddie Condon

Bass: Mort Stuhlmaker Drums: Dave Tough

Composition: Spencer Williams

During World War II Freeman led an Army band, stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Returning to NYC after the war, he freelanced with various bands. Notable work during his later career included the orchestras of Stan Rubin and Art Hodes in the fifties and the World's Greatest Jazz Band from 1968 to 1974.

'Coquette' Bud Freeman & His V-Disc Jumpers

Recorded 4 Oct 1945 in NYC Matrix VP1683 V-Disc 740

Trumpet: Yank Lawson Trombone: Bill Mustard Clarinet: Peanuts Hucko

Tenor sax: Freeman Piano: Buddy Weed Guitar: Carmen Mastren

Bass: Trigger Alpert Drums: Ray McKinley

Composition: Johnny Green / Gus Kahn / Carmen Lombardo

'Meet Me In Chicago' Art Hodes Orchestra w the Jimmy McPartland Orchestra

From the album 'Meet Me In Chicago' on Mercury MG20460

Recorded 7 May 1959 in Chicago Matrix 18574-3

Composition: Art Hodes

'S'posin'' Bud Freeman All Stars

Recorded 13 May 1960 in Hackensack NJ Matrix 2246

From the album 'Bud Freeman All Stars' on Swingville SVLP2012

Trumpet: Harold Shorty Baker Tenor sax: Freeman

Piano: Claude Hopkins Bass: George Duvivier Drums: J.C. Heard

Composition: Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf

Freeman published his first memoir, 'You Don't Look Like a Musician', in 1974, followed by a second in 1976 titled 'If You Know of a Better Life Please Tell Me'. He moved to England in 1974, then returned to Chicago in 1980. Tom Lord has him contributing to the album, 'Mat Matthews and Friends' in Rotterdam as late as 1986, issued on Audiophile AP-219. His autobiography, 'Crazeology', saw print in 1989.