Roger Freundlich

Born Jan 11,1945 Brooklyn NYC, graduated Malverne Senior High School/Malverne (Long Island) New York 1963. Private studies in USA with John Mehegan (jazz theory), John LaPorta (t/sax), Stan Kenton Band camps 1961 (Ralph Mutchler), 1963 (Neal Hefti). BSc Arch.U.of Cincinnati 1970. Residence in Finland since 1970. Correspondence study with Berklee College of Music (big band/Dean Earl) and Dick Grove School of Music (songwriting/Robbie Gillman). Jazz composer and arranger. Private studies in Finland with Albinus Borg (tpt) and Jan Takolander (trb). Band camps in Finland: Oulunkylä Pop-Jazz, Sibelius Academy (Seinäjoki), Nilseä, Imatra Big Band, Turku Jazz Orchestra, BigBand Kurs (Pargas) Otava Classic Jazz. Main instruments: t/sax, b/sax, tpt, flghn, trb - love to experience the instruments' different sounds and personalities. Current band affiliations: Tapiola Viihdeorkesteri (b/sax, b/clar), Gramofoni Big Band (s/sax), Mill Hill Big Band (b/sax), Ogeli Big Band (trb, now leader). Previous band affiliations: Mosabacka Big Band (leader, t/sax, b/sax, tpt), Koivukylä Big Band (leader), PPO Windband (tpt, flghn). Jazz educator since 1989 (adult ed/jazz improv.) See my articles - "Psyching Out Improv Demons" (June 1998 Downbeat, "Dealing with Improv Demons" (Spring 2002 EMEA Journal), and "Giving The Listener A Break" (NovDec 2007 Saxophone Journal). Main influences: Duke, Miles, Mulligan, Monk, Billy Strayhorn, Horace Silver, Bill Russo, Ben Webster. All time fave LP: Miles/Birth of the Cool. Inner musical pulse: Bebop. Proudest achievement: Two CD/LP albums "Cop City" (2021) and "Smooth Talking" (2023), each featuring 8 original compositions played by top Finnish jazz musicians. MDM/5 children/5 grandchildren. Enjoy!