Freedom Day (Max Roach & Oscar Brown) - Matthew J. Evans

The holiday of Juneteenth honors June 19th, 1865 when Union troops arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and ensure the freedom of slaves. Even though the emancipation proclamation had legally freed the slaves in the south nearly 2 and a half years earlier, there was not enough union presence to enforce this new law.
I want to honor Juneteenth and Black Lives Matter with this song titled Freedom Day written by Max Roach and Oscar Brown. It was written and performed in 1960 as part of an album of music called We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite.
The lyrics of this song depict the reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation, hopeful yet distrusting, joyful yet anxious. Max Roach described song as in finished. He said “we don’t really understand what it really is to be free. Freedom Day ends with a question mark”
It’s often said this is a time to listen. After listening to my version I highly recommend listening to the original piece, and honor the incredible Black American musicians who created this genre of music, and used their art to tell their story.
I feel greatly honored to take part in this tradition and hope hearing this piece inspires you to take action to ensure all Black Americans experience the freedom they are promised.
#BLM #BAM #Juneteenth #MaxRoach #songsofcomfort

[@brax08224]

hey matthew, i'm a bassist, can you send me the lead sheet or even chords for this song so i can walk along? thanks

[@aj8124]

BITCH YOU’RE THAT KID IN “BAD TEACHER” WHO WROTE THAT BA-LANCE POEM 😭!!!