Earl Lavon Freeman Jr., born in Chicago on July 17, 1949, got his musical start on trumpet and switched to tenor sax during his years at Northwestern University. In addition to earning his advanced degree from Governors State University, he studied with Muhal Richard Abrams and Joe Daley. After moving to New York City in 1976, he worked with Elvin Jones, Cecil McBee, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, Don Pullen and Sun Ra.

Freeman toured Europe as part of the Jones group and with the AACM big band in 1979 and with his own groups in 1979-'80. He began recording as a leader in 1976, mostly for the small independent India Navigation label, as well as for Contemporary, Black Saint, Elektra/Musician and Black Hawk. Most of those releases were critically acclaimed and adventurous. In addition to recording and touring with his father, he worked with the cooperative group known as the Leaders during the '80s. In the late '80s he formed an electronically augmented combo called Brainstorm and since has also freelanced. Among his best albums are Spirit Sensitive and The Outside Within (both India Navigation). -Will Smith