Mike Freeman ZonaVibe
In The Zone
© 2007 VOF Recordings (726538200742)
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Latin Jazz - featuring the vibraphone and marimba. Original compositions along with jazz interpretations of salsa classics performed by top notch New York musicians.
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Biography
Mike Freeman ZonaVibe brings together a heady blend of musical elements in an original and highly engaging ensemble. The vibesman behind many notable musicians and groups, Mike emerges from the tradition forged by Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, and the groups of Joe Cuba that placed the vibraphone at the heart of Latin music. His many years of playing in several of New York’s hottest salsa groups, and a natural affinity for Caribbean, African, and Brazilian rhythms combined with strong writing skills, a thoroughly developed jazz background, and a dynamic performing style underscore the performances of ZonaVibe.
Mike performed with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, directed by Oscar Hernandez, and legendary sonero Cheo Feliciano at Madison Square Garden in June 2008, and ZonaVibe will be part of Central Park’s Harlem Meer concert series this July. ZonaVibe performed at the Festival Internacional on the island of Terciera in the Azores, and his salsa group, Vibe Caliente, played for Binghamton's First Night. Both of his groups will headline at the Trinidad & Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival this October.
His recordings of original music gained national attention and extensive airplay landing on several radio charts. From the start, the music Mike wrote and performed ranged from jazz, Latinjazz, Brazilian, fusion, and R&B. Mike Freeman & Spellbound’s 1985 self-titled debut recording (following a tour of Portugal, cosponsored by the Fulbright Foundation and the American Embassy) was eclipsed six years later by the highly successful “Street Shuffle” with Jeff Jenkins, Dave Stryker, Kip Reed, and Graham Hawthorne (now with Paul Simon). His next recording “Wiggle Stomp” reflects a deeper immersion in the Latin scene that began over ten years ago. With his lastest CD “In the Zone”, Mike takes that exploration to yet another level. He displays the considerable range of his marimba playing—along with the vibraphone—and his artistry and knowledge of bringing salsa forms into a Jazz context.
The topnotch, hard-driving ZonaVibe personnel all have impressive performing and recording experience. Here’s some of what Mike has to say about them: “Ricky Rodriguez is a young and much in-demand player from Puerto Rico, who has played with Ray Barretto, David Sanchez, Miguel Zenon, and Brandford Marsalis. Little Johnny Rivero, the choice of such legendary performers as Eddie Palmieri and Papo Lucca, has two acclaimed salsa recordings of his own group. He, along with Harry, bring a wealth of knowledge to the music. Harry Adorno, an in-demand musician on the New York salsa scene for years, has performed with Willie Colon, among others. The intro hits (created on the spot) for “There Ya Go” came from him. Bruce Saunders has recorded his own groups, featuring the likes of Jack DeJohnette, among others; teaches at Berklee College; and performs with many other groups.”
In addition to leading his own groups, Mike performs and records with eminent percussionist Ray Mantilla’s Good Vibrations Band (with Edy Martinez), that has toured Italy far and wide and recorded for Savant records. "Good Vibrations" was Jazzweek's top Latinjazz recording on radio, 2006; salsa singer Julio Salgado (from George Delgado and Charansalsa); Son Boricua (Jose Mangual Jr. and Jimmy Sabater) on “Fabulosos 70’s”; Mark Holen’s eclectic Latin blues band Zambomba on “Stretching the Truth”; and Lucho Cueto’s all-star group Black Sugar.
Other credits include a Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert that Mike organized and produced at Manhattan Plaza (two 45-floor towers of performing artists in midtown Manhattan where he lives) featuring the R&B of Bobby Harden and Chris Carter, the jazz of David Schnitter’s quartet, the solo piano of Amina Claudine Myers, and Mike’s own Latinjazz group with Ray Mantilla. Proceeds went to Tipitinas Foundation for New Orleans–area musicians and the Humane Society; performing with Little Johnny Rivero’s sexteto; Jorge Jimenez’s Timba Vibes (creating the group’s book); and the Latin Legends concert at Aaron Davis Hall with the Harbor Conservatory Latin Band, directed by Louis Bauzó.
Omaha-born and raised, Mike started his professional music career at thirteen, and by fifteen he was playing percussion in the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. He started learning drums at five and became interested in jazz music by listening to drummers Buddy Rich and Max Roach. In high school, he began studying vibraphone with veteran studio musician Bobby Christian, and soon after entered the DePaul University conservatory in Chicago, where he concentrated on the vibraphone and composition. During college, he began leading his own groups, performing at clubs, both in Chicago and Omaha, and working as a side musician. In New York, where he’s lived and worked since 1981, Mike studied with composer/arranger Hale Rood, who wrote for Louie Bellson, and attended the BMI composers workshop.
"...strong songwriting, thoughtful arranging, and professional performances let In The Zone stand on its own as an intoxicating Latin Jazz gem" —Chip Boaz, Latinjazz Corner
"Mike Freeman and Zona Vibe is a top-notch Latin jazz quintet that often sounds like a bigger band." —Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
“... a fine, inventive vibraphonist and an exciting jazz group...” —Lee Prosser JazzReview.com
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Discography
Mike Freeman ZonaVibe - In The Zone, 2007
16 Weeks on JazzWeek’s World Music Chart, On nationally syndicated Jazz After Hours and cable radio's Music Choice
Mike Freeman -- Wiggle Stomp, VOF recordings, 2000
Charted on Gavin’s jazz radio chart * On nationally syndicated “Jazz After Hours” radio show * Heard on the “Joey Reynolds Show” WOR-AM radio network
Mike Freeman & Spellbound® -- Street Shuffle, Best Recordings, 1991
Major U.S. distribution and airlay * Gavin Jazz Chart, Gavin Adult Alternative Chart; Radio & Records chart; MAC Report chart * Aired on David Sanborn’s Nationally Syndicated Radio Show * United Airlines in-flight playlist
Mike Freeman & Spellbound, debut recording, 1985
Other recordings include:
Lucho Cueto's, Black Sugar, 2007
Ray Mantilla, Good Vibrations Jazzweek's #1 Latinjazz recording, 2006
Son Boricua, Fabuloso 70's, 2004
Mark Holen Zambomba, Streching The Truth, 1997