Mike Freeman ZonaVibe "In the Zone" 16 Weeks on JazzWeek’s World Music Chart, On nationally syndicated Jazz After Hours and cable radio's Music Choice.
Check out these reviews!: Latinjazz Corner Spotlight ,
All Music Guide , Jazzreview.com, and Descarga.com
Mike Freeman ZonaVibe brings together a heady blend of musical elements in an original and highly engaging ensemble. The vibesman behind many notable musicians and groups, Mike emerges from the tradition forged by Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, and the groups of Joe Cuba that placed the vibraphone at the heart of Latin music. His many years of playing in several of New York’s hottest salsa groups, and a natural affinity for Caribbean, African, and Brazilian rhythms combined with strong writing skills, a thoroughly developed jazz background, and a dynamic performing style underscore the performances of ZonaVibe.
Mike performed with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, directed by Oscar Hernandez, and legendary sonero Cheo Feliciano at Madison Square Garden in June 2008, and ZonaVibe was part of Central Park’s Harlem Meer concert series in July. ZonaVibe performed at the Festival Internacional on the island of Terciera in the Azores, and his salsa group, Vibe Caliente, played for Binghamton's First Night. Both of his groups will headline at the Trinidad & Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival this October.
His recordings of original music gained national attention and extensive airplay landing on several radio charts. From the start, the music Mike wrote and performed ranged from jazz, Latinjazz, Brazilian, fusion, and R&B. Mike Freeman & Spellbound’s 1985 self-titled debut recording (following a tour of Portugal, cosponsored by the Fulbright Foundation and the American Embassy) was eclipsed six years later by the highly successful “Street Shuffle†with Jeff Jenkins, Dave Stryker, Kip Reed, and Graham Hawthorne (now with Paul Simon). His next recording “Wiggle Stomp†reflects a deeper immersion in the Latin scene that began over ten years ago. With his lastest CD “In the Zoneâ€, Mike takes that exploration to yet another level. He displays the considerable range of his marimba playing—along with the vibraphone—and his artistry and knowledge of bringing salsa forms into a Jazz context.
In addition to leading his own groups, Mike performs and records with eminent percussionist Ray Mantilla’s Good Vibrations Band (with Edy Martinez), that has toured Italy far and wide and recorded for Savant records. "Good Vibrations" was Jazzweek's top Latinjazz recording on radio, 2006; salsa singer Julio Salgado (from the Conga Kings, George Delgado and Charansalsa); Son Boricua (Jose Mangual Jr. and Jimmy Sabater) on “Fabulosos 70’sâ€; Mark Holen’s eclectic Latin blues band Zambomba on “Stretching the Truthâ€; and Lucho Cueto’s all-star group Black Sugar.
Other credits include a Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert that Mike organized and produced at Manhattan Plaza (two 45-floor towers of performing artists in midtown Manhattan where he lives) featuring the R&B of Bobby Harden and Chris Carter, the jazz of David Schnitter’s quartet, the solo piano of Amina Claudine Myers, and Mike’s own Latinjazz group with Ray Mantilla. Proceeds went to Tipitinas Foundation for New Orleans–area musicians and the Humane Society.
"...strong songwriting, thoughtful arranging, and professional performances let In The Zone stand on its own as an intoxicating Latin Jazz gem" —Chip Boaz, Latinjazz Corner
"Mike Freeman and Zona Vibe is a top-notch Latin jazz quintet that often sounds like a bigger band." —Ken Dryden, All Music Guide“... a fine, inventive vibraphonist and an exciting jazz group...†—Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com
