Interviews with Freddie Green:

Author and jazz critic Stanley Dance and his wife, Helen Dance interview Freddie Green
Conducted on August 9, 1977, these are transcribed excerpts from tapes housed at the Institute of Jazz Studies, Bradley Hall, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey.

Author Stanley Dance interviews Freddie Green and Count Basie
This is a transcription of a short interview that Stanley Dance conducted in 1972

Freddie Green interview at Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, Michigan, USA

In My Opinion: Freddie Green
A Jazz Journal interview from June 1962 in which Sinclair Traill get's Freddie's reaction to some recordings.

Freddie Green - Guitar Who Welds The Band
A 1954 article and interview from Down Beat Magazine.

Quotes Attributed to Freddie Green
From Kitty Grime's Book, Jazz At Ronnie Scott's, supplied by Jazz-Institut Darmstadt.

Interviews with Others:

Interview with Dennis Mackrel, drummer and current Director of the Count Basie Orchestra
Mr. Mackrel shares numerous memories and stories from his years with the Basie band up until Freddie's death in 1987.

Interview with George Avakian, Record Producer
Michael Pettersen spoke with George Avakian in March of 2011, shortly before Freddie's 100th birthday. Mr. Avakian first met Freddie before he joined the Basie Band.

Recorded Interview with Frank Foster - Alumnus of the Basie Band
Saxophonist Frank Foster played, wrote, and arranged with the Count Basie Orchestra for twelve years. After Basie's death in 1984, Foster took over leadership of the band for nine years beginning in 1986.

Recorded Interview with Butch Miles - Alumnus of the Basie Band
Drummer Butch Miles played with the Count Basie Orchestra alongside Freddie Green from 1975 to 1979 and returned to the band in the 1990's, still holding the drum chair as of this interview.

Recorded Interview with John "Bucky" Pizzarelli
Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli has been a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early 1950s. His extraordinary skill as a rhythm player places him in the league of legendary rhythm guitarists like Freddie Green, Allan Reuss, George Van Eps, and Barry Galbraith.

Recorded Interview with Bassist John Clayton
John Clayton is an alumnus of the Count Basie Orchestra and is renowned for his double bass performance, composition, and arranging in both jazz and classical music

Recorded Interview with Lynn Seaton - Alumnus of the Basie Band
Bassist Lynn Seaton played with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1985 to 1987. These were the final years that Freddie Green played with the Basie band.

Recorded Interview of Bob Ojeda - Alumnus of the Basie Band
Arranger and trumpeter Bob Ojeda played with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1985 to 2001. During the first part of Bob's tenure with Basie, Freddie Green was still playing in the band until his sudden death in Las Vegas on March 1, 1987.

Magazine Interview with Will Matthews - Current Guitarist with the Count Basie Orchestra
Will Matthews holds down one of the most revered guitar chairs in jazz, the chair that timekeeper supreme, Freddie Green, occupied for nearly 50 years in the Basie band.

Recorded Interview with Clarence Banks, Trombonist with the Count Basie Orchestra
Clarence Banks has played with Basie band since 1984. He was the last player hired by Basie himself. Clarence can be heard on most of the Basie band recordings made since 1984.

Interview with Marty Grosz - Noted Rhythm Guitarist, Singer, and Raconteur
Pre-Concert Conversation with Michael Pettersen on December 13, 2007

Interview with guitarist Lawrence Lucie
Mr. Lucie celebrated his 100th birthday in December 2007

Excerpt from the IAJE panel discussion "A Salute to Count Basie"
Frank Foster, Dennis Wilson, Jimmy Owens, Joe Wilder, Dan Morgenstern

 

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