Mike Freeman

Biography

Mike Freeman is an American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and bandleader born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1959. He began his musical journey at a young age, learning drums at six and playing professionally by thirteen. His early exposure to jazz came through listening to legendary drummers like Buddy Rich and Max Roach, and by age twelve, he had taken up the vibraphone. At fifteen, Freeman was already performing as a percussionist with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, and during high school, he traveled to Chicago to study with renowned percussionist Bobby Christian. He graduated from DePaul University in 1981 with high honors in music composition, later moving to New York City, where he furthered his studies with composer Hale Rood and immersed himself in the vibrant jazz scene.[1][5]

Freeman's career is distinguished by his spirited, soulful swing rooted in Afro-Cuban rhythms, creating a unique blend of mambo and salsa-inspired jazz-Latin-blues. He has performed extensively across North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and South America, gaining international recognition for his original compositions and recordings. Freeman is the leader of ZonaVibe and has released eight albums as a bandleader, with seventy original compositions that have charted on jazz, contemporary jazz, and world music radio. His works have aired on nationally syndicated programs and received critical acclaim.[2][3][4]

A dedicated arts advocate, Freeman has produced numerous concert series and benefit events, notably for musicians affected by natural disasters. He is a multi-time recipient of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Creative Engagement grant, producing projects such as Hell's Kitchen Soul Sauce and Boricua Blues. Freeman has also contributed to music education, writing commissioned works for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Percussion Scholarship Program and for China's national percussion curriculum, performed at the Shanghai Symphony Hall. His legacy is marked by his innovative approach to jazz vibraphone and his influential role in Latin jazz.[1][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Freeman received the medal of the city of Guarda, Portugal, after performing in regions previously unvisited by American musicians or vibraphonists.[1]
• He produced benefit concerts for musicians affected by hurricanes, supporting both the Jazz Foundation of America and the Tipitinas Foundation.[2][4]
• Freeman's music has aired on United Airlines flights and nationally syndicated radio shows, reaching audiences far beyond traditional jazz venues.[4]
• He led a big band called Resurrected Swing in his youth and gave music lessons at a local store while still a teenager.[5]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bobby Christian - Studied percussion and vibraphone during high school years (Private lessons, stylistic guidance) [1970s]
• Alan Swain - Studied jazz piano at DePaul University (College coursework and ensemble work) [1977-1981]
• Tom Hilliard - Studied saxophone and jazz at DePaul University (College coursework) [1977-1981]
• Hale Rood - Studied composition and arranging in New York (Arranging lessons, BMI composers workshop) [1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Ray Mantilla - Performed and recorded with Mantilla's Latin jazz groups (Live performances, recordings (2002–2020)) [2002–2020]
• Jose Mangual Jr. - Performed and recorded with Son Boricua featuring Jimmy Sabater (Son Boricua albums, concerts (2003–present)) [2003–present]
• Julio Salgado - Long-term musical collaboration (Live performances, recordings (2000–present)) [2000–present]
• Lucho Cueto - Performed with all-star group Black Sugar (Black Sugar performances) [2000s]
• Spanish Harlem Orchestra (Oscar Hernandez) - Performed with the orchestra at Madison Square Garden (Live performance) [2000s]
• Willie Villegas's Joe Cuba Sextet - Performed with Cheo Feliciano (Live performance) [2000s]

Artists Influenced

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra Percussion Scholarship Program students - Commissioned works and arrangements for student ensembles (Percussion ensemble repertoire) [2000s–2020s]
• Shanghai Symphony Orchestra percussionists - Commissioned arrangements for China's national percussion curriculum (Shanghai Symphony Hall performances) [2014]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Welcome to Faith City with Pastor Mike Freeman (Welcome to Faith City)
2. What Is Real
3. What Is Real
4. IN MY DREAMS (MAHARAJA NIGHT HI-NRG REVOLUTION (VOL.11))
5. What Is Real (Super Eurobeat Vol.120)
6. Kamikaze For Love (Super Eurobeat Vol.60 (Anniversary Non-Stop Mix))
7. What Is Real (Super Eurobeat Vol.230)
8. What Is Real (Super Eurobeat Vol.210)
9. CAN YOU FEEL THE PASSION
10. I'M A SINGLE MAN

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia