Freddie Green Photographs

Below are six photo galleries representing each major decade of Freddie Green's career. Click on any of the images to see an enlarged view and browse each set.

Please note that dates, photographers, and circumstances for every photo are not known. We've done the best we can at describing each image and giving appropriate credit. The thumbnail images are presented in approximate chronological order by decade. If you have any comments or details to share, please contact us. We would enjoy hearing from you.

Click here to see photos of instruments owned by Freddie Green at the time of his death.

1930s

From Charleston to New York, Freddie Green was a young man who arrived during the Harlem Renaissance and eventually earned a spot in the Count Basie Orchestra not long after Basie himself arrived back on the New York scene.

1940s

This decade is considered by many to be the height of the Big Band Era and Freddie Green was right there in the center of it as guitarist for one of the greatest bands of all time.

1950s

The 1950's was Freddie Green's most prolific period as a performer and composer. He was in high demand as a session player with many major artists of the time and released his own "Mr. Rhythm" album.

1960s

Most other big bands had seen there demise by 1960, but the Basie Band remained alive and well with Freddie Green in the guitar chair.

1970s

The 1970's saw a decline in recording but the Basie band continued to perform, especially in Europe where they were more popular than ever.

1980s

Freddie Green continued to perform in the Basie band, even after Basie died in 1984. Freddie eventually joined Basie's "Heaven Band" in 1987, between shows at a Las Vegas hotel.