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-Freddy, May 2023

IG: @freddylaumusic

Two decades of professional music experience in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding cities

His regular ensembles include:

  • Big Ray and the Kool Kats: Charlottesville’s top high-end wedding band, serving clients in the mid-atlantic region and beyond. Booked every weekend, almost entirely for private events

  • Liberation Church: an inclusive, mixed-denomination church with historic Richmond roots that features dynamic, gospel-influenced performances. It livestreams service every Sunday and many special events throughout the week at maximum production value, and is a pillar of the southside Richmond community

  • Chap Cash: a variety singer and guitarist with particular emphasis on classic country repertoire like Hank Sr. and Merle Haggerd, mixed with modern Americana like Tyler Childers. He has an aggressive performance schedule largely centered on the Powhatan, South Hill, and Farmville communities

  • Baby Jo’s: a jump blues ensemble featuring washboard and a diverse horn line composed of professionals in the Charlottesville and Richmond regions. Lead by longtime Charlottesville vocalist and keyboardist Betty Jo Dominick. Known for their longtime Monday-night residency at the Whiskey Jar on the Downtown Mall

  • Breakfast Cabaret Orchestra: an ultra-diverse world music group lead by longtime Richmond accordion wizard Barry Bless and vocalist/dancer Twila Jane Ramblethorn. Plays arrangements of Satie and Led Zeppelin, along with originals, and just about anything else. Frequently showcases guest artists, particularly from the Richmond jazz scene. Known for their longtime residencies at Southside establishments like Crossroads and Brewer’s

  • Django Tango: authentic Gypsy Jazz ensemble in the style of Django Reinhardt. Led by longtime Richmond guitarist Russ Hanchin. Known for their longtime residency at Legend Brewery in southside Richmond

In 2017, he opened for the Richmond Symphony at the East End Festival in Chimbarazo Park with Roxbury. In 2018, notable gigs include opening for mayor Levar Stoney at the "Heart of the East End" fundraiser at Peter Paul Development Center with soul group Brown’s Island, and performing lead guitar for Lady E and the Blues Synsations at the 28th Annual Down Home Reunion in August.

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Freddy is a multi-instrumentalist who employs guitar, keyboard, percussion, voice, and synthetic instrumentation in both performance and studio settings. His solo guitar performances have ranged from straight-ahead jazz guitar at country clubs, to 80's rock hits re-imagined on an acoustic guitar for a backyard wedding. [ask me what I can play for your event].

Freddy can interpret and improvise over music of every style, and learns by both ear and notation. He performed improvised accompaniments to dance classes for Melanie Richards, Judith K. Steel, and Autumn Proctor Waddell at Virginia Commonwealth University (2013-4). He frequently performs in musical theater and has played guitar and ukelele in the pit orchestras of VCU (2016), the Richmond Triangle Players, and the Swift Creek Mill Theater (2017). In May 2018, he played in the production of All Shook Up at the Fort Lee playhouse; in September, he played in the Christian parable Godspell at the same venue.

Freddy trained throughout his life in classical and jazz traditions--beginning with his first piano lessons from his mother; with his parent's help, he studied Suzuki violin and performed in local recitals from age 10, and as a second violinist in Sinfonietta and, later, the Youth Concert Orchestra under the Richmond Symphony.

In high school, his transferred his passion wholeheartedly into guitar and composition, memorably improvising a solo at Tim Kaine's inaugural ceremony in Williamsburg with the Maggie L. Walker jazz ensemble--they opened for the Beach Boys (2006)--and starting his first rock bands. At Virginia Commonwealth University, he participated in--and absorbed influences from--the eclectic downtown Richmond music scene. During this time, he developed his guitar playing under the tutelage of master guitarist and jazz educator Mike Ess. Freddy graduated Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014 with a B.A. in Music and, having had so many teachers in his life, it was only natural he became an educator himself. His heavy performance schedule has made teaching difficult lately, but he does provide instruction privately [ask me about lessons].

Freddy has been involved in music production for over ten years, culminating in his studio, Arresterfield Productions [ask me about production and composition].

All booking and inquiries
freddylaumusic@gmail.com