The Good Life (CD)

George Freeman has been part of jazz for nearly a century. Brother of Von and uncle of Chico Freeman, hes worked with the greats, such as Charlie Parker and Ben Webster. Appearing on the recording is legendary organist Joey DeFrancesco, going into the studio just a couple of months before his untimely death. DeFrancesco admired Freemans work on a Jimmy McGriff LP so it is quite touching that the two were able to collaborate here. Also featured on 4 tracks is bass phenom Christian McBride stoking up some swinging performances with Freeman. Drummers Lewis Nash and Carl Allen provide propulsive rhythms throughout. It must be said, however, that the pulsing heart of the band is Freeman himself, who plays with integrity and enthusiasm and who continues to bring an impressive lifetime of experience to his work. The set list includes a standard, some hand-jive groove, a high-powered up-tempo blues with Freeman articulating some wonderful bebop phrasing, and a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of The Good Life.