Russ Freeman, Piano, 1926, Chicago, Ill
Russ studied classical music/piano as a young child, but became heavily involved in jazz by his mid teens. By the late '40s Russ was working with various bop groups on the West Coast. In 1947 he was playing with groups led by Art Pepper, Howard McGee, Dexter Gordon, and Wardell Gray. In 1954 to 1956 Russ had an important association with Chet baker, performing and recording. Freeman also had a long-lasting association with Shelly Manne, with whom he toured and recorded extensively. Russ toured Europe with Benny Goodman in 1959. In 1962 he founded a publishing company, Encore Music, and issued a number of his own compositions. From around the mid '60s he was music director for nightclub acts and worked in television studios and in Hollywood, where he played piano on numerous film soundtracks. Freeman's piano style is basically bop, with a strong feeling of swing. Like many pianists of his generation, he was very much influenced by Bill Evans, although the influence on Freeman's work has been limited. He has also said that in the early '60s his piano work was influenced more by bass players and drummers rather than pianists. Russ Freeman died in 2002.
Tommy Ladnier, Trumpet, 1900, Florenceville, La
Tommy moved to Chicago around 1917 where he worked with various groups and bandleaders in the area, including Ollie Powers, Fate Marable and in 1924 with King Oliver. He also made recordings with these bands and a number of blues singers. In 1925 Tommy toured Europe and the U.S., performing and recording. In 1926 he served as principal soloist with Fletcher Henderson's orchestra. After several short-term gigs, he and Sidney Bechetfounded the The New Orleans Feetwarmers who were active in N.J. and N.Y. The group didn't last long for a number of reasons, and Ladnier and Bechet briefly operated a tailor shop in New York, Tommy had his own quintet in New Jersey, played and taught in Connecticut, and performed with groups in New York State. Ladnier's trumpet playing during the early 1920 very much resembled that of Johnny Dunn, especially in the use of triplets and double-time. He also made use of the cackling muted timbre produced by many trumpeters of the time, and by phrasing reminiscent of King Oliver's. Tommy had a real feeling for swing, much like Armstrong's early style. Tommy Ladnier was equally at ease playing many styles, from spirituals to swing. Tommy Ladnier died in 1939.
