180-gram 33 1/3 LP, remastered

2012 National Endowment for The Arts Jazzmaster

"The Great Divide is a marvelous record." — DownBeat

"Freeman is wrong — but wrong like Monk and Lester Young were, with the peculiar logic of genius." — Village Voice

Von Freeman is a saxophonist and Chicago jazz legend in a town that's known for producing a lot of both. Freeman died Aug. 11, 2012, at the age of 88. Von's first studio record for Premonition — this one — reunited him with the great drummer Jimmy Cobb, who backed him on his first session for Atlantic in 1971. This one, which was chosen Best of 2004 by The New Yorker, DownBeat & Jazz Times (among others), was recorded in New York and features Von backed by Cobb and his working trio on a set of jazz standards and originals. The title refers to the divide of influences Von feels between Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Highlights include Von's tribute to Lester Young, "Blue Lester" and his a cappella version of the lush ballad, "Violets For Your Furs."

Musicians: Von Freeman, tenor saxophone
Jimmy Cobb, drums
Richard Wyands, piano
John Webber, bass.

Track Listing
Side 1
Be My Love
This Is Always

Side 2
Blue Pres
Disorder At The Border
Violets For Your Furs