Freddy Green started playing sax when he was 10 years old. It wasn't long before his teacher decided that Freddy was the perfect candidate to play the oboe in his orchestra. The Principal oboist of the LA Philharmonic, Bert Gassman, after hearing him play took Freddy on as a student.
During his school years Freddy won many awards and scholarships playing the oboe. When he matriculated the U.S. Army, it was to the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra, where he became the Principal Oboist. Upon his release from the military, Freddy auditioned for the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia, PA, and graduated in 1962; having studied with John DeLancie, principal oboist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. It was during this period of time that Freddy performed in the Aspen Festival, the Tanglewood Festival and Marlboro Music Festival. At the Marlboro Music Festival, Freddy had the opportunity to record with Pablo Casals, Rudolph Serkin, and many of the finest artists in the classical milieu.
Upon his graduation, Freddy spent 1 year in the Baltimore Symphony; and then to the National Symphony in Washington DC for many years
After retiring from the N.S.O. Freddy stopped music and became a stock broker. He was a financial planner for 20 years and didn't play the oboe.
When Freddy retired from the working life, he decided he had to play again . . . but this time, not the oboe, but the saxophone. He went back to his roots and joined a number of Big Bands. It wasn't long before he decided he wanted to form a Big Band to play the music he loved so much when he played in the "Esquires", which was the award winning Big Band at Montebello High School.
Since starting, "Freddy and Friends" Big Band over 10 years ago, he has amassed a huge library of music from the "Swing Era" . . . his love, and the band's dedication to this lovely graceful dance music has allowed Freddy to form a band of professional musicians, doctors, lawyers, engineers and other wonderful musicians who play for the joy of playing and help keep alive this unique part of Americana.
His desire is to provide this beautiful music to folks who can remember dancing to the likes of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Freddy And Friends Big Band (18 musicians) can be heard weekly at the Palm Island Ballroom in Fountain Valley, Ca. The band also plays in and around the Orange County and Los Angeles area.
Making the band affordable is very important . . . Freddy will provide smaller groups when needed, and his motto when it comes to fees is . . .
"Let's work something out so it's a win-win for everyone"
