Evelyn Freeman Roberts facts for kids

Evelyn Freeman Roberts (born February 13, 1919 – died May 5, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and teacher. She was also a talented arranger, which means she helped create the musical parts for different instruments and voices in a song.

Early in her career, Evelyn led a swing band and a gospel choir. Later, she and her husband, Tommy Roberts, started a special group called the Young Saints. This foundation helped young performers in Los Angeles learn music and arts.

Evelyn Freeman Roberts: Her Life and Music

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Evelyn Freeman Roberts was born Gertrude Evelyn Freeman in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents were Gertrude Evelyn and Ernest Aaron Freeman. Her younger brother, Ernie Freeman, also became a very successful musician and arranger.

Evelyn and Ernie often performed together as "The Freeman Family." Evelyn was also a skilled piano player in a classical group. She loved music from a young age.

Becoming a Bandleader

One day, Evelyn met the famous jazz musician Duke Ellington after one of his concerts. Meeting him inspired her to become a bandleader herself! She decided to study music at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

In 1938, while still studying, she formed her own swing band. She graduated from the institute in 1941.

Leading the Evelyn Freeman Swing Band

Evelyn's orchestra, called the Evelyn Freeman Swing Band, became quite popular. Her brother Ernie was also a part of this band. They played regularly at famous ballrooms like the Circle Ballroom and Oster's Ballroom. They also performed on the radio station WHK.

However, many of the band members later joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. They formed the first African-American Navy band, stationed in Indiana. This special group was even nicknamed the "Gobs of Swing"! Evelyn continued to perform with a smaller group during this time.

Post-War Music and Marriage

After World War II ended, Evelyn met Tommy Roberts. Tommy was a singer with the Cleveland-based Wings Over Jordan Choir. Evelyn helped him write music for the choir. However, she became so popular that the choir's leader felt her fame was too much. Evelyn and Tommy both left the choir around the same time.

Evelyn and Tommy got married and moved to New York City. They started performing in nightclubs and worked with famous musicians like Lionel Hampton, Ethel Waters, and Cab Calloway. They also arranged music for vaudeville shows, which were popular stage performances.

Later Career and Recordings

In the late 1950s, Evelyn started her orchestra again with new members. They performed in Las Vegas and backed up famous singers like Peggy Lee and Frankie Laine. Evelyn also wrote a song called "The Jelly Coal Man," which Frankie Laine recorded in 1959.

Evelyn Freeman also released her own rock and roll songs. In 1958, she released a single called "Let's Make A Little Motion" / "Come To Me My True Love" on the Dot label. She wrote both songs with her husband, Tommy Roberts. In 1960, she released a gospel album called Sky High on Imperial Records. Later, in 1962, her song "Didn't It Rain" was released.

In the mid-1960s, Evelyn moved to Los Angeles. She continued to work as a composer and arranger for television shows and for stars like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Louis Prima. She even ran her own club called "The Upstairs" on Sunset Strip.

The Young Saints Foundation

Evelyn and her husband Tommy Roberts started a very important organization called The Young Saints Scholarships Foundation. This was a nonprofit organization, which means it didn't aim to make money. It was created in 1967 to help young people aged 5 to 21. The foundation provided free training in singing, dancing, acting, and television work in South Los Angeles.

The Young Saints became very successful. In 1970, the group even performed for President Richard Nixon at the White House under Evelyn's direction! By 1989, about 150 young people were part of the Young Saints.

In 1993, Evelyn and Tommy Roberts received the Community Service Award from the NAACP Theater Awards. Many talented musicians were mentored by Evelyn and Tommy, including Herb Alpert and members of popular groups like The 5th Dimension and The Friends of Distinction.

Later Years

Evelyn Freeman Roberts passed away in May 2017 at the age of 98. She left behind a wonderful legacy of music and helping young people achieve their dreams.