We are very excited to present our last Local Saxophonist Showcase of the year, featuring the incredible Freddie Washington. Freddie is one of the last remaining tenor players from the great Gaslight Square era of Jazz in St. Louis. Born in St. Louis in 1937, Washington began playing tenor saxophone in the eighth grade and was performing professionally by age 16. After enlisting in the Navy, in 1956, he attended the Navy’s music school in Washington, D.C., but in 1959 returned to St. Louis, where he began long associations with John Chapman, the legendary pianist, and John Mixon, a bass player who recorded with Miles Davis. Over the years, Washington has toured with Mongo Santamaria and performed with such notable musicians as Wilbur Ware, Emily Remler and Leon Thomas.
Freddie’s language, sound, and experience on the tenor is surely going to blow everyone away who hasn’t yet heard him play. We are excited to present him in a quartet setting with one of the best rhythm sections St. Louis has to offer. Freddie will be accompanied by Adam Maness on Piano, Bob Deboo on Bass, and Kaleb Kirby on Drums.
Be sure to also check out the Battle Trance Saxophone Quartet down the street at Dead Wax Records. They will be performing from 1:30-2:15 on Saturday, December 2. Freddie Washington will begin shortly after they wrap up down the street.
