TV Reviews : Hendricks’ Take on ‘Freddie Freeloader’

“Jon Hendricks: The Freddie Sessions,” airing tonight on Channel 28 at 11:50, is one of those rare documentaries that can be characterized as musical, entertaining and educational.

Produced and directed by Jeffe Feuerzeig, a 26-year old independent filmmaker, the 29-minute show is based primarily on the title cut of “Freddie Freeloader,” Hendricks’ recent CD on Denon Records. As Hendricks explains, Freddie Freeloader was a bartender in Philadelphia noted for his generosity in offering free drinks to his musician friends.

His name became the title of a tune written and recorded in 1959 by Miles Davis. Through the art of vocalise, of which he is the preeminent exponent, Hendricks has re-created the record vocally, setting words to what were originally ad lib jazz solos.

Switching back and forth between black-and-white and color, the film shows Hendricks singing John Coltrane’s tenor sax solo, Al Jarreau lyricizing the Miles Davis passage, Bobby McFerrin interpreting Wynton Kelly’s piano solo in words, and George Benson firing off a wild chorus that was once a Cannonball Adderley improvisation.

All four singers meet this daunting challenge in peak form. Hendricks’ narration tells us how he came to know the other three (McFerrin was once a member of his vocal quartet), introduces each segment with a brief and witty scat interlude, and helps us to share in the joy of creativity that permeates this unique production.

Hendricks also joins with Jarreau and Benson to sing a lyricized version of Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-a-ning,” there is a vintage shot of the original vocalise trio (Hendricks, Dave Lambert and Annie Ross) singing “Cloudburst” at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, and the rhythm section that backs all the “Freddie” soloists is introduced, with the superb Tommy Flanagan at the piano, the brilliant Czech bassist George Mraz and drummer Jimmy Cobb (who played on the original Miles Davis record).

Vocalise words go by so fast that the listener would be well advised to have the album on hand; it includes a printout of all those mile-a-minute solos. But with or without total comprehension, “The Freddie Sessions” is a rare blend of good music, good humor and all around good vibes.