Biography
Musician - composer - band leader - recording artist - arranger - educator - producer
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 natural affinity for Caribbean, African, and Brazilian rhythms combined with strong writing skills, a thoroughly developed jazz background, and dynamic performing style underscore the performances of ZonaVibe.
Traveling to the Caribbean, ZonaVibe and Vibe Caliente (Mike's salsa group) gave fiery and enthusiastically received performances at the Trinidad & Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival. ZonaVibe performed at the Festival Internacional on the island of Terceira in the Azores and was part of Central Park’s Harlem Meer concert series in New York City. Several First Night celebrations include Vibe Caliente in Binghamton, NY, 2008, with ZonaVibe bringing in 2009, in Westport, CT. Other past performances for Mike as a leader include: the Flood Relief Concert in Des Moines, Iowa; opening for Stan Getz in Boston; performing to a huge hometown audience at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, NE; the Berks, Rehoboth Beach, Hennessy Greenwich Village, and JVC Newport jazz festivals as well as an extensive tour of Portugal, cosponsored by the Fulbright Foundation and the American Embassy.
His recordings of original music have gained national and international attention and extensive airplay charting on jazz, contemporary jazz, and World music radio. 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 was followed 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 in the mid 1990’s. 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.
In addition to leading his own groups, Mike performs and records with: Lucho Cueto’s all-star group Black Sugar, which has given blockbuster performances for many thousands of frenzied fans at the Toros y Salsa Festival in Dax, France, and at the Festival Internacion de Salsa in Lima, Peru; acclaimed percussionist Ray Mantilla’s Good Vibrations Band (with Edy Martinez) that has toured Italy far and wide. "Good Vibrations" on Savant records was Jazzweek's top Latinjazz recording on radio, 2006; salsa singer Julio Salgado (from the Conga Kings, George Delgado, and Charansalsa); Son Boricua with Jose Mangual Jr. and Jimmy Sabater; and Mark Holen’s eclectic Latin blues band Zambomba. Mike also performed on the Latin Legends concert at Aaron Davis Hall with the Harbor Conservatory Latin Band, directed by Louis Bauzó, and with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, directed by Oscar Hernandez, and legendary sonero Cheo Feliciano at Madison Square Garden.
Recording/concert producing credits include: Band Together, a Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert at Manhattan Plaza 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; Mark Holen Zambomba, “Three Gold Coins”; and a production in progress with Julio Salgado.
Master classes and arranging: New York University and the Berklee College of Music, among others, have hosted Mike as a guest artist/clinician. His music arranged for big band has been a successful component of his performances with jazz department ensembles. Mike created the book for Jorge Jimenez’s group Timba Vibes and wrote a series (spanning several years) of commissioned compositions and arrangements for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Scholarship Program.
"...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
"Siren Song - Live at Arsenal" is Elisabeth Kontomanou's latest album, recorded with a philharmonic orchestra brilliantly carrying and magnifying the captivating voice of the "great lady" of Jazz.
Album now available on iTunes and Qobuz (Plus Loin Music / Harmonia Mundi)
Hey, I hope you’re well. I’m still in NYC and I’m excited to have another full band concert coming up soon: Tues, Oct 27, 7.30-9.00 pm Zinc Bar NYC (82 West 3rd Street) I’d love to see you there! Greetings from your Swiss brother, blessings, Vlada www.vladamusic.com
Sorry for not having been in touch awhile - been rather busy! Just wanted to say that your valued friendship continues to be appreciated. Have you checked out my MySpace and web site (www.faberoptime.com) recently? Oh and did you subscribe for my free newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!)? You might also like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
Hey How have you been? I’m sorry you haven’t heard from me in a while, I was travelling a lot and preparing the release of my album. But I’ll be back in NYC and playing there soon: Sat, Sept 26th, 8pm, Samantha’s, East Northport Tues, Sept 29th, 9.30pm, The Bitter End, Manhattan I’d love to see you there! Greetings from your Swiss brother, blessings, Vlada VLADA "All about you" feat. Take 6, K. Whalum, A. Laboriel, V. Colaiuta, P. Jackson Jr. Pre-Release CD: www.vladamusic.com Now available on iTunes. In stores in January 2010.
Hello, ive been asked to being in MTV series.I am gone start a new mtv series!! But need a girl to be my GF on the show. Because, this show goes about a couple! Anyone interested being in MTV ?
HOLA!!! Saludos Musicales, Visita mi myspace y podras escuchar un pequeno adelanto de mi proximo trabajo discografico YAOUNDE HI!!!!! Musical Greeting, visit my myspace and you will be able to listen a small preview of my upcoming release YAOUNDE. Mucha Paz, amor y musica Much Peace, Love and Music
Hi Mike, Thank you so much for your kind words, they go a long way coming from a great player like yourself. I am a big fan of Cal Tjader and now a big fan on Mike Freeman and his super group! Working on a solo album this summer and part of the fall, will keep you in mind for any Latin Jazz compositions. Let's keep in touch! Best Regards, Ray
Online!
