CJO Septet - Freddie Green Tribute: Live at Studio5
Schedule
Fri, 27 Mar, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL, United States, Illinois 60202 | Evanston, IL
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CJO Septet: Freddie Green TributeJeff Lindberg – leader
Eric Schneider – reeds (tenor, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Art Davis – trumpet
Russ Phillips – trombone
Reggie Thomas – piano, organ
Dennis Carroll – bass
George Fludas – drums
Michael Pettersen – rhythm guitar
Alyssa Allgood – vocal (special guest)
Just three days shy of what would have been Freddie Green’s 115th birthday, Studio5 presents a rare and historic tribute to the legendary “Mr. Rhythm.”
Freddie Green was the steady heartbeat of Count Basie’s famously swinging rhythm section — the understated yet unstoppable force that helped define big band groove. Guitarists still speak reverently of the “Freddie Green style,” but despite his immense influence, Green recorded only one album as a leader: Mr. Rhythm (1955).
In 2015, guitarist and historian Michael Pettersen — a devoted Freddie Green scholar — discovered the original Mr. Rhythm charts while going through archival materials with Green’s son, Alfred. Remarkably, every part was intact. Those charts are now being brought back to life.
Working with Chicago Jazz Orchestra director Jeff Lindberg, a select CJO septet has reconstructed this music for live performance. After a sold-out debut at the Jazz Showcase, this Studio5 concert marks only the second time this project has been presented.
The ensemble features some of Chicago’s finest jazz musicians, including Reggie Thomas, current pianist with the Count Basie Orchestra. Special guest Alyssa Allgood will perform selections associated with Freddie Green and Billie Holiday.
A rare opportunity to hear historic music revived — swinging exactly the way it was meant to.
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Where is it happening?
1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL, United States, Illinois 60202Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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