Post by gog on Nov 11, 2008 14:00:34 GMT -5
Steve Freund
Artist Profile
Guitarist, producer and bandleader Steve Freund, praised by Rolling Stone for his "masterful, no-nonsense guitar work" has relocated to the West Coast following 18 years as one of Chicago's most respected musicians.
Widely sought after for his knowledge of and fluency in the Blues idioms, Freund has earned a reputation as one of the hottest players on today's blues scene. He served an unreproducible apprenticeship after leaving N.Y.C. In 1976, learning the role of second guitar behind Hubert Sumlin, Lee Jackson, Homesick James, Louis Myers, and many others. He spent two years working with Big Walter Horton and Floyd Jones, learning the deep blues and the idiosyncrasies that are part of the art.
In 1978, he became Sunnyland Slim's main guitarist, playing just about every gig with the piano legend until the time of his death. Freund became the consummate piano accompanist working with Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Walker, Henry Gray, Erwin Helfer, David Maxwell and many more.
High points of a career that began in the coffeehouses of Greenwich Village include:
Date Event
2001 US tour w/ James Cotton
1998 Chicago Blues Festival
1997 Boz Scaggs R&B Tour
1995 San Francisco Blues Festival
1995 Europe w/ Little Charlie & Nightcats
1990 Benson & Hedges Blues
1989 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest
1982 US tour w/ Legendary Blues Band
1982 Europe w/ Koko Taylor including Montreaux
1981 European tour w/ Luther Allison
1981 Chicagofest w/ Sunnyland Slim
1979 West Coast tour w/ Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
1979 - 1980 Telluride Jazz Fest w/ Paul Butterfield
Critic's Comments
"Before you plunk down your dollars on today's pop culture blues newcomer, do yourself a favor and first dig into the real thing."
Boston Blues Society
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"Steve Freund shines every time he steps forward, playing with sizzling drive, taste, and real creativity."
Downbeat
Pete Welding
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"C" For Chicago should mark the entry of Steve Freund into that exclusive club of first-tier blues musicians. I give it my highest possible recommendation!"
Toronto to-nite Magazine
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"...brings understated class to new originals and standards alike."
Living Blues Magazine
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"He is a great guitarist!"
Vintage Guitar Magazine
On Steve's myspace page he has four of his songs posted there, "I'll Be Your Mule" "Fitting To Go" Hoverin Hawk" and "Cool Dream" Steve is a fantastic guitarist-vocalist, go on over and give him a listen, You want be disappointed
MySpace URL:
www.myspace.com/stevefreundbluesband
Steve's web site
stevefreund.com
here's a video of Steve Freund Blues Trio, recorded Live Redwood City Ca. 2006
Robi Bean Drums/Burt Winn Bass
Steve Freund - Reconsider Baby
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jysoeBSpYps
