Russ Freeman's originality stems both from a healthy respect and knowledge of tradition and a completely personal and intriguing manner of presenting his musical thoughts. The best way to describe Russ' music is to say that he is one of the very few improvisers whose every single note counts; take out any one and a definite gap would be felt in the musical entity of his performance. Russ is a member of an even smaller elite group, namely the jazz composers. When he picks up pencil and paper to put down an original, it is just that: not simply an interesting line built on familiar chord changes or comfortable progressions, but a real piece, original in mood, concept and harmony.

If all this tends to make Russ sound deadly serious, then let me hasten to correct that impression. His music is often filled with humor; a sardonic kind rather than the baggy-pants kind, but a very definite humor nevertheless.

- Pete Welding