Jazz music icon Carolyn Freeman, founder of the American Jazz Initiative and wife of the renowned jazz pianist and composer, Russ Freeman, died Saturday, July 6th in Las Vegas. Carolyn, not a musician but a former Broadway dancer, followed her husband in the love of jazz.
Carolyn, along with composer/arranger and friend Nathan Tanouye, created the Las Vegas Jazz Connection, a 32-piece jazz orchestra, which has now recorded a total of four CDs. Two of the CDS are dedicated to the music of her late husband, Russ. “I would not be where I am today if I had not met Carolyn,” said LVJC Music Director and Arranger Nathan Tanouye. “She always believed in my artistic abilities and trusted me fully, even with her husband’s tunes. She was not only a fantastic producer, but she was my angel.”
Carolyn’s stated dream was to bring the love of jazz to all ages, particularly the younger generation. She created opportunities to build the best of the best of jazz and sought out places where jazz could be heard and enjoyed.
“She was an amazing advocate for the Las Vegas Jazz community,” commented Ann Parenti of Forgotten Song Music and Robert Case of New Pants Publishing, co-producers with Ms. Freeman of the newly released Las Vegas Suite. This CD features Nathan Tanouye, Clint Holmes and the Las Vegas Jazz Connection. “Producing this music and getting it played across America was her dream. Now the launch will be a celebration of her dedicated life and that of her husband’s to the love of Jazz.”
The concert celebration will be held on November 10 at 2:00 PM at Notoriety in Neonopolis in Las Vegas. The music tracks on that album can be heard and purchased at http://forgottensongmusic.com/shop/ or at the CD Baby Music Store.
