Tootsie Tunes by Richard Freitas: Press/Reviews

"Happy, toe-tapping music."

Sarah Meador, Rambles.NET

Stride jazz piano is an odd little genre. Most people wouldn't know the name for it if they heard it; and almost everybody has heard it, and would nod their heads in pleased recognition if they heard it again. You've heard stride jazz before; it's the soundtrack of flickering black-and-white voiceless movies where the hero faints and the villain twirls his mustache, the music of old cartoons where the furniture dances. It's unavoidably nostalgic, irresistibly cheerful music.

With Tootsie Tunes, Richard Freitas fully embraces that nostalgia, with delightful results. From the first notes of "Tootsie Toes," his piano doesn't just stride; it jaunts, it jives, it positively struts along the open arrangements and colorful melodies Freitas creates for it. Piano is an instrument often reserved for serious or moody music. Here the black-and-white keys seem to have put on their play clothes. The sly mischief of "Come & Catch Me" smiles from every note. Freitas's compositions are a reminder that dance music is no recent invention. There's no touch of the latest rhythms in "The Zig Zag Rag" or the homage to "My Man Fats," but there's no way to keep from dancing in time with these rag-styled tunes. The lazy afternoon notes of "Sassparilla for Two" and "Saturday at the Bijou" recalls streets long lost to history to memories that have never seen them, and have fun to boot. Just the names of Freitas's sunny tunes invite a smile: "Sweet & Sour Pickles," "Penny Candy," "Rag Doll Rag." Every one is as simple and sweet as the name implies. And Freitas plays every note with the enthusiasm and exuberance that gives the music its fundamental spirit.

Tootsie Tunes won't blow you away with new sounds and elaborate arrangements. You've heard music like it before, even if you didn't know what you were hearing. But odds are you've never heard such a varied collection of it so well played. For anyone willing to let themselves go, relax and just smile at their music, Tootsie Tunes is a thoroughly enjoyable treat.

The 20's were indeed "roaring", and Richard brings that magic era back to life with his fascinating playing. It is brilliant all the way through.

Richard Freitas composes happy music and the way he swings it on his new CD, "Tootsie Tunes", makes it charming and rather irresistible.The tunes are catchy with melodies that are easily followed and titles that seem to fit. The recorded sound is crisp and clear, the piano is a Steinway grand and the face of the CD itself is cleverly designed to mimic a 45 rpm extended play record.

Lise Avery
Executive Producer
Anything Goes!! with Lise Avery
Internationally Syndicated Radio

The whole album is just delightful with fine musicianship.

Brian Hart, Jazz Radio Host

The Tootsie Tunes CD definitely has heart. Thanks for sharing with our listeners.

Nina Goodrich, Jazz Review

Richard Freitas describes his tunes as original, new, stride jazz piano with a touch of rag. The title, Tootsie Tunes could bring to mind the spirited music of television cartoons. Tootsie Tunes is that—and more, much more. How many different sounds can a person get from a piano? Lots!

Freitas and wife, Gerri Brioso, wrote the spirited, toe tapping and zesty tunes on this album.

Seducing the listener with the opener “Tootsie Toes,” Freitas immediately commands attention with the range of notes that keep this lively song captivating. Mystery in the first seconds pull the listener to “Smokey” before it explodes into a frenzied escapade, as Freitas covers the spectrum of high to low notes.

A sunny afternoon. A walk in the park—a light, spritzy mood, is felt during “Sassy Sue.” A bouncy, lively tune. “Sassparilla For Two” displays cascading notes with a slower tempo—still airy and pleasant.

Bringing the tempo back to a fierce speed, “Try ‘n Catch Me” reminds of the roaring twenties and silent movie days, when music told the story. “Saturday At The Bijou” also tells of earlier times with clarity and refreshing peppiness. A feverish tempo well describes the fervor of the question “Would ‘Ya”, the name of track nine.

The title of this album is a bit deceptive. It would be easy to think of this effort as a simple offshoot of cartoon spoofs. It is anything but that.

Freitas shows complex arrangements, tremendous skill on keyboard and an unending imagination to produce such varied and captivating songs with one man on piano. But then, he has plenty of experience since he’s performed with greats: Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Cab Calloway, Nel Carter, Little Anthony and the Imperials, plus the Drifters.

Freitas also wrote and produced songs for Sesame Street, Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Disney, Sony and many others.

This is a highly entertaining album. No flat spots. Captivating and consuming. A refreshing treat!

Jonathan Westerling
Founder & President
Radio Sausalito 100.1fm

We received the Tootsie Tunes CD. Wonderful stuff. It has been on the air for weeks now. Got some great compliments on it.

By John Gilbert

Lace up your high button shoes, don your spats and ladies fetch your
parasol and picture hat because Richard Freitas is taking us on a
delightful journey . . . Freitas simply hands us a pocketful of dreams to reflect upon and enjoy.

Freitas' solo piano soars and romps its way through 14 original tunes
in which the titles are very apropos to the music.

This pianist shows off his dexterity and humor as well as his nimble
fingered ideation.

This is happy music from a happier time and Richard Freitas gives it to us in an album that will make you tap your toes and grin like
a possum spittin' 'simmon seeds.
5 Stars

What great traveling music! Tootsie Tunes kept the energy high on my recent cross country road trip.

Tootsie Tunes has quickly become my favorite CD for driving, cooking and general mood elevation! It makes me smile every time I put it on! I'm ordering more because I love making my friends happy too!

For anyone who's had a stressful day, come home and listen to the
stride piano rags of Richard Freitas. Your bad day will fade away as the joyful, tapable, snapable, singable Tootsie Tunes re-energize you and make you feel good.

Your CD is terrific! I would just warn people to watch themselves if they play it in their cars, because the cheerful music could send them way over the speed limit!

Seriously, great musicianship here, and I would most certainly recommend the album to anyone who just enjoys good music and a good time.

Your music is a joy.

I LOVE TOOTSIE TUNES!!! I want to get about 20 of the CDs as stocking stuffers for Christmas. What cheerful, fun, toe-tapping, life affirming music! It's brilliant!

Are there Tootsie Tunes in your medicine cabinet? If not, there should be. Big pharmaceutical companies BEWARE!!!!! Richard Freitas' collection of original swinging stride piano compositions
are guaranteed to get toes tapping, fingers snapping, and will keep a grin on your face from beginning to end. This is happy music.

I have heard Richard perform many times. He is an amazing musician who can be hip, or cool, or funky, and now----happy.

So if you are down in the dumps, moody, melancholy, or just plain mad, throw away all your pills and prescribe yourself some Tootsie Tunes. Your smile will thank you.

I've listened with great enjoyment to every last note (and there a
bunch of 'em) on your CD. Terrific stuff, and clearly from the heart.

I must have looked like a grinning idiot mowing the lawn with the headphones blasting those Tootsie Tunes into my baking brain last week.

What a surprise in today's mail, your wonderful CD. We're off now for about a half hour drive and will be tapping all the way while listening to your playing. How fortunate we are!

Tootsie Tunes is fantastic and great music to listen to when you're cleaning the house! Those dishes just flew out of the dishwasher etc, etc- effortlessly. I played it on Monday for my guests, and they loved it too. Great job!

The Tootsie Tunes CD is wonderful. We listened to it while having our dinner the other evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great music!