Jazz series to showcase vibraphonist Rev. Norm Freeman

Freeman, who has forged dual careers in ministry and music, has played vibraphone since the age of 16 when he switched from the drums and began studying with a prominent percussionist in New York. Years later, his musical career culminated in performances with many top artists including the New York Philharmonic, New York Pops, famed operatic sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle, Paul McCartney, multiple tours with Barbra Streisand, numerous Broadway shows and other acts, and on the the Grammy Award-winning New York Philharmonic recording of Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 3 in D Minor” conducted by Leonard Bernstein. 

On Wed., July 15, Freeman will perform for Pierce Street Jazz at 7 p.m., backed by jazz and pop industry musicians Henry “the Skipper” Franklin on bass, Theo Saunders on piano, and Ramon Banda on drums. The concert will be held in Troesh Conference Center at La Sierra’s Zapara School of Business. 

Freeman is noted not only for his musical accomplishments, but also for fusing together his ministerial work as an Episcopal priest and his music through the creation of a jazz ministry program. It began with an academic paper he wrote on jazz ministry while studying at General Theological Seminary in New York. During his first position as an assisting priest at a church in Connecticut he brought the paper to life with a first jazz vespers which was “warmly received,” he said. In 1999, Freeman’s jazz vespers was the subject of a full-page story in the New York Times.

Jazz ministry is primarily instrumental and involves placing jazz standards within the context of worship. For instance, an instrumental performance of “All of Me,” a tune with spiritual connotations, might be used for the confession portion of a church service or the jazz tune “Pennies from Heaven” for the offeratory, Freeman says. “People are touched by the care one takes.”

Freeman earned bachelor and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City, and a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary. After serving at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Riverside, Conn., he and his family moved to California where Freeman became Episcopal Chaplain for the University of California, Santa Barbara, and vicar of St. Michael and All Angels Church Isla Vista, positions he held until 2006.

For the past 15 years he has also performed jazz vespers services around Southern California, the past eight at St. George’s Church and Academy in Laguna Hills where he served as rector and headmaster until his retirement in January. His quartet now performs jazz vespers at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills. After a summer break, their vespers services will commence in September.

Freeman, an Irvine resident, spends much time practicing and works regularly with the New York Pops, traveling back and forth across the country every five or six weeks to perform at Carnegie Hall. “Part of whatever this retirement is, I practice hours a day,” he said in an interview.

This August the New York Pops will unveil a season modeled after the Hollywood Bowl with performances at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, opening with Sutton Foster and Pink Martini.

Freeman has also toured with pop icon Streisand since 1994, sometimes with only two months’ notice. “It’s a blast,” Freeman says, in part because he gets to stand next to acclaimed percussionist John Robinson, known for his work with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and other famous acts. “It’s just a thrill to be in an environment where you can do your best. …They set you up so you can’t help but do your best. It’s magical. Sparks are flying,” Freeman said.

Admission to Pierce Street Jazz is free. For further information call 951-785-2148. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside.