Biography
These four musicians represent distinct individual artists rather than a unified group, though they frequently collaborated within the avant-garde and contemporary jazz scenes. D.D. Jackson is a Canadian-American jazz pianist and composer whose work as a leader or co-leader appears on 13 CDs, bringing sophisticated harmonic sensibilities to collaborative projects. Pheeroan akLaff is a drummer who emerged from the creative music circles, recording with various ensembles including work with Chico Freeman and other experimental jazz musicians. Chico Freeman is a composer, bandleader, educator, and multi-reedist from Chicago, son of the late saxophonist Von Freeman, who has maintained an active recording and performing career spanning multiple decades. Calvin Jones is a bassist who has appeared on numerous recordings, contributing to the rhythm sections of various jazz and creative music projects.
Fun Facts
- Chico Freeman recorded 'Lord Riff and Me' with his father Von Freeman in October 1987, creating a intergenerational musical dialogue that was released decades later in 2010
- The ensemble featuring D.D. Jackson, Pheeroan akLaff, Chico Freeman, and Calvin Jones on 'Antiquated Love' (1996) was so well-received that it was subsequently re-released in 2011 as 'David Murray & Chico Freeman with Özay'
- Chico Freeman has maintained a prolific recording career across multiple labels including India Navigation, Black Hawk, In+Out, Edgetone Records, Jazz House, Candid Whynot, and Jive Music, demonstrating his versatility and sustained relevance in the jazz community
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Von Freeman - Father and primary musical influence; saxophonist who shaped Chico Freeman's musical foundation (Lord Riff and Me (recorded 1987, released 2010)) [1950s-1980s]
Key Collaborators
- Chico Freeman & D.D. Jackson & Pheeroan akLaff & Calvin Jones - Appeared together on the album 'Antiquated Love' with David Murray and other musicians (Antiquated Love (1996, Basic Records); later re-released as David Murray & Chico Freeman with Özay (2011))
- Arthur Blythe - Frequent collaborator with Chico Freeman on multiple projects (The Unspoken Word (1994); various ensemble recordings) [1989-1994]
- David Murray - Saxophonist who worked with this ensemble of musicians (Antiquated Love (1996))
- Cecil McBee - Bassist who appeared on multiple Chico Freeman recordings (Chico (1977), The Pied Piper (1987), Lord Riff and Me (2010)) [1977-2010]
- Elvin Jones - Legendary drummer who collaborated with Chico Freeman (The Pied Piper (1987))
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry Project | 2024-09-06 | Album |
| The Calling | 2022-10-19 | Album |
| Peace-Song | 2022-10-19 | Album |
| My Library Is Filled With Backbeats | 2021-09-01 | Album |
| Jazzy Christmas | 2020-11-05 | Album |
| You & Me (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2018-11-01 | Album |
| Hollywood Musical! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2015-03-23 | Album |
| Ozay: Antiquated Love | 2011-01-04 | Album |
| Ozay: Antiquated Love | 2011-01-04 | Album |
| Serenity Song | 2006-06-20 | Album |
| Suite for New York | 2003-06-01 | Album |
| Suite For New York | 2003-06-01 | Album |
| Sigame | 2001-10-23 | Album |
| Sigame | 2001-10-23 | Album |
| Sigame | 2001-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Solaris (Gemini with Mood Swings)
- Solaris
- Antiquated Love (Ozay: Antiquated Love)
- Mavety Street (Poetry Project)
- I Call (Poetry Project)
- Le Shuffle (Sigame)
- Sigame
- Taiwan Moments
- Peace-Song
- The Welcoming
External Links
- Spotify
- [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
Heard on WWOZ
D.D. Jackson, Pheeroan Aklaff, Chico Freeman, Calvin Jones has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.