Mike Freeman and Zona Vibe - "Blue Tjade"

Steven A. Cerra

“... an intoxicating Latin Jazz gem.” - Chip Boaz, Latin Jazz Corner

 “Freeman stirs up a multicultural brew of vibrant optimism and Latin and world jazz grooves.” - Dan McClaneghan, All About Jazz

 “... a fine, inventive vibraphonist and an exciting Jazz group.” - Lee Prosser, Jazz Review

 “Freeman is not only carry on the Latin Jazz vibe tradition, but is also bringing in a unique voice and substantial contribution to the genre.” - Jeff Moore, Percussive Notes

 Mallets are fun way to play on a drum kit because they enhance the percussive depth and rhythmic “feel” of the instrument, but when played on vibraphones and marimbas, the percussive use of mallets becomes melodic and harmonic as well.

 We’ve talked before about the dangers inherent in playing vibes as described in the following excerpt from Ted Gioia’s writings on the subject of Cal Tjader’s approach to the instrument:

 “The vibraphone invites overplaying almost by its very nature. … Unlike a horn player, the vibraphonist is unable to sustain notes for very long, even with the help of vibrato and pedal. The vibes invite overplaying to compensate for such limitations. Added to these difficulties is the fact that … [they are played with] a hitting motion powered by the wrists. With the mastery of a steady drum roll, the aspiring vibraphonist is already capable of flinging out a flurry of notes and, given the repetitive motions used to build up drum technique, the vibes player is tempted to lock into a ‘steady stream’… [of notes].

 Tjader’s playing, however, was nothing like this. Although he was a drummer and percussionist by background, he seemed to draw on the instincts of a horn player in shaping his improvised lines. They did breathe.” [West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz in California, 1945-1960, p.103].

 Cal always maintained that his two main influences on vibes were Lionel Hampton and Milt [“Bags’] Jackson. “Hamp” was a banger and “Bags” was a bopper and a blues player without equal. How in the world did Cal fuse such dissimilar styles?

 Ted Gioia also notes this divergence and takes this point a step further:

 “These disparate strains in his playing came out most clearly in his Jazz work. Where Tjader melded them into a melodic, often introspective style that was very much his own. Even when playing more high-energy Latin numbers Tjader kept a low-key demeanor, building off the intensity of the rhythm section rather than trying to supplant it. For the most part, he came across as an introvert on an instrument meant for extroverts.” [Ibid, pp.103-104].

 I was reminded of these descriptions of Cal Tjader’s vibraphone style while listening to Mike Freeman’s recently released CD Blue Tjade [VOF Recordings 2015-6], which as the title implies is in part a tribute to the late vibist.

 I don’t know if Mike is specifically aware of Ted Gioia’s caveats about the instrument, but he sure applies them. His is a study in a laid-back approach which allows the ringing beauty of the instrument to come through on all ten tracks of this thoroughly enjoyable CD.

 Not only is the music on this recording brilliant played by Mike’s ZonaVine quintet it is also brilliant presented as the audio has an intimacy and inviting quality to it rarely heard on many of today’s over-mixed and over-mastered discs. It’s almost as though the usual “compression” restrictions associated with digital music have been abandoned in favor of a sound that gives off a “live” vibe [no pun intended].

 Everything about this recording sparkles from the players and their high level of musicianship to the compositions to the improvisations to the grooves to the thoughtful arrangements of the tracks to the high quality of the recording itself.


 The recording has been well-thought out by Mike and his cohorts and yet, the whole thing has an air of spontaneity to it which flows from one track to another until what evolves is a rarity - a CD that you can put on your changer and play through without having to jump from track-to-track to find “the good stuff.”

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