Mark Freeh (1939 – 2017)

Mark Freeh was a founding member and long time Business Manager of Imperial Brass. He was the leading inspiration in the band’s development, musical growth and public performances for over 25 years. Put simply, Imperial Brass would not exist without Mark’s passion for brass music in general and Imperial Brass in particular. Despite his passing in 2017, Mark’s passion for excellence in brass music is still felt in every Imperial Brass rehearsal and performance.

Early Life – Intro to Brass Playing

Mark was born on August 22, 1939 in Newburgh, New York, and raised in a Salvation Army officer family. Mark moved homes every few years as his father was stationed in various towns across the East Coast of the United States. At a young age he began playing cornet and later switched to trombone, but felt that his strengths lay elsewhere. Mark switched to E-flat tuba and began to excel.

Musical Growth

Mark studied at Manhattan School of Music with the great Bill Bell of the Sousa Band and the New York Philharmonic. He also played in the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army under the baton of Richard Holz, A highlight was performing in England’s Royal Albert Hall; the concert included the English premiere of Erik Leidzén’s “None Other Name.” In the same concert the International Staff Band performed the premiere of Eric Ball’s “Song of Courage.”

Arranging

Mark was profoundly influenced by two great arrangers and composers with whom he studied during his early years in New York, Erik Leidzén of the Salvation Army and Johnny Richards from the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Although both men operated in very different musical circles, Mark was drawn to both of them for their deep musical talent. During his arranging studies, Mark started work as a music copyist and became quite skilled – and busy – in the bustling New York music copying scene.

After a two-year stint as a military trombonist with the 79th Army Band, Mark returned to New York and switched to bass trombone in the New York Staff Band. Mark grew his profile in the New York brass scene – he built contacts and formed a unique group called the Manhattan Brass Choir. This was an all-brass big band that replaced the usual saxophone section with French horns and euphoniums. When Mark was still in his twenties, the group recorded the album “Praise to the Living God” on ABC records. The album features jazz greats Clark Terry and Urbie Green.

Recording

In the 70’s and 80’s, Mark became well-established in the music recording industry as a studio owner in New York. He recorded countless rock ‘n roll and disco albums with notable artists including Chaka Khan, Blondie, and Billy Joel.

During these years, Mark often assembled impromptu recording sessions with top brass players in New York. He had a standing Sunday night brass group that met and recorded new arrangements Mark wrote specifically for the group. As his interest in arranging grew, he returned to his brass band roots and arranged for many of the top British bands in the 1980s. The GUS Band (then the Rigid Containers Group Band), recorded many of these arrangements in the all-Mark Freeh album FREEH-WAY, under the baton of Bramwell Tovey.

Formation of Imperial Brass

In 1990-91, Steven Dillon of Dillon Music, and arranger Jonathan Korzum, invited Mark to form the Rutgers Alumni Brass Band. The group’s conductor was Charles Baker, Principal Trombone of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Mark became increasingly invested in the group; he planned concerts and managed personnel. The band later changed its name to the name we hold to this day – Imperial Brass. Mark continued to provide the band with new arrangements, and actively published his arrangements with Warner Brothers, Crabtree, and most recently with Obrasso.

Mark was never idle in the brass world, whether he was arranging, recording, playing, or simply sharing his passion for brass and music. Long-time friend John Appleby puts it simply: “He was a brass band enthusiast to the nth degree with that knowledge unmatched by anyone I knew.”

Legacy

Mark’s legacy with Imperial Brass continues to this day with Imperial Brass’ Mark Freeh Scholarship – a program in which promising brass players are invited to play with Imperial Brass to enhance their musical outlooks.

In addition, we have many of Mark’s wonderful brass band arrangements in our library – many of them are included in our recordings, and we continue to include them in our concert programs – as do many of the world’s top brass bands.