Hot Club
Portugal Tour
February/08/2008 14:04
In 1985 I was invited to tour Portugal. The tour was funded by the American Embassy (after receiving a recommended evaluation from the United States Information Agency) and the Fullbright Foundation. It was an extensive (5 week) tour that took me to every part of the country including remote areas where few American musicians had performed before and no vibraphonists had ever performed. I received the red carpet treatment everywhere I went with dinners and receptions in my honor and I received the Medal of the City of Guarde.
It was during that tour I wrote the tune "Praça da Alegria" and got the idea to write more music like it for a group I would form upon my return. The group was called Spellbound and produced two recordings, "Mike Freeman & Spellbound" and Mike Freeman & Spellbound "Street Shuffle" about 5 years apart. Years later in 2007 I was invited to perform with my group ZonaVibe in Terceira, Azores (part of Portugal) for the Festival Internacional.
It was during that tour I wrote the tune "Praça da Alegria" and got the idea to write more music like it for a group I would form upon my return. The group was called Spellbound and produced two recordings, "Mike Freeman & Spellbound" and Mike Freeman & Spellbound "Street Shuffle" about 5 years apart. Years later in 2007 I was invited to perform with my group ZonaVibe in Terceira, Azores (part of Portugal) for the Festival Internacional.