Ron Free (b 1936) was born in Charleston, SC. Free began residency as loft house drummer in 1958, crashing on a recliner in Smith's loft until early 1960. In multiple interviews, Free talks about his upbringing, his first musical gigs in Charleston, S.C., and his life experiences at the Jazz Loft, particularly his time living with W. Eugene Smith Free. He also discusses his drug use, Smith's recording techniques, and his interactions with other musicians and personages at the Jazz Loft and in New York City including Woody Herman, Dave McKenna, Freddie Greenwell, and Pepper Adams.
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