Edward Freytag holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education (instrumental/vocal) from the University of Tennessee At Chattanooga and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz & Studio Performance from the University Of Tennessee At Knoxville where he studied with renowned jazz educator, Jerry Coker and drum set guru, Keith Brown. Mr. Freytag was Associate Director of Bands and Instructor of Percussion & Jazz at Cleveland Junior/Senior High Schools in Cleveland, Tennessee for 13 years. While in tenure at CHS, his marching and concert percussion ensembles and jazz groups received consistent superior ratings and first place awards. He was also the Director of Bands at LaVergne High School in LaVergne, TN for 12 years where his ensembles claimed many state and national titles.
He has taught applied percussion at Tomlinson College, Lee University, Cumberland University and was the Professor of Percussion at the University of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Mr. Freytag has been a percussion section member of both the Knoxville Symphony and the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestras. He also has an extensive background as an adjudicator and clinician in both the percussion and jazz areas.
Mr. Freytag has performed and toured extensively throughout the United States, Russia, Germany, England and the Caribbean Islands with such well-known artists as Liberace, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Steve Allen, Buddy Morrow, Donald Brown, Jerry Coker, Ron Miller, Ray Stevens, Bill Watrous, Terry Gibbs, Bud Brisbois, Dude Mowrey (Arista Records), Marilyn Martin (Atlantic Records), James T. Horn (Curb Records), Philip Claypool (Curb Records), Ric Ferrell (Dreamworks Records), Mindy McCready (RCA Records), Thom Ellis (E3 entertainment, LLC), Kimber Cleveland, Dr. Hook, Terry Radigan, the legendary Carl Perkins, and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. He has done openings for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Ray Stevens, Joe Diffie, Eddie Money, Tracy Lawrence, Rick Trevino, Billy Dean, Shaver, Radney Foster, Lorrie Morgan, Restless Heart, Martina McBride, Eddie Arnold, and Leroy Parnell. He has worked in management, promotions, production, and artist relations in the music industry in Nashville.
He is the founder of BOD Productions, Guru Graphics, Serious Percussion Publications, and is currently working as a freelance percussion artist and studio musician, private instructor, percussion and jazz clinician, and staff writer for Row-Loff Productions in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Freytag is currently the percussion and jazz specialist for Eagleville HS and Whitworth-Buchanan MS. He is the author of “The Rudimental Cookbook” and “Just Desserts”, the definitive statements in rudimental drumming, and has many published percussion ensembles, books, and solos on state music lists across the nation. Mr. Freytag is an endorser for Row-Loff Productions, KHS America (Mapex Drums / Majestic Percussion / Jupiter Horns), Evans Drumheads, D’addario, Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, Humes & Berg Cases and Bags, and is a writer for Maxwell Tree Music. Mr. Freytag is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), Middle Tennessee School Band & Orchestra Association (MTSBOA), Tennessee Bandmasters Association (TBA), National Education Association (NEA), Tennessee Education Association (TEA), and the Rutherford Education Association (REA).