The youngest and last survivor of the famed Chicago-based Freeman brothers, guitarist George worked with the family at first and recorded, live, with Charlie Parker in the early 1950s. He has subsequently made much of his living playing in touring organ combos so the June session here catches him in a favourite setting with just organ and drums, the now-sadly-departed DeFrancesco comping and soloing with characteristic panache.

They give ‘If I Had You’ the most limpid of examinations, Freeman more spare than of yore, this hardly surprising as he was then in his 96th year, producer Michael Cuscuna noting, ‘Although the years have slowed George’s velocity, his creativity and originality remain intact’. Just so.

There’s a similar timeless feel to his original ‘Mr D’, while ‘Up and Down’, a nifty jump tune hatched up in the studio, sets George off on an intriguing journey of his own, with a side glance back to Charlie Christian’s riff-based style. The follow-up session with McBride and Allen, again mostly deals with George’s originals, the stompy ‘1,2,3,4’, backbeat and all, another studio confection. The near-10 minute long ‘Sister Tankersley’ is for George’s late mother, who made it to 101, and is ‘slow and soulful’ according to Cuscuna, McBride’s line keeping the sombre mood uppermost. If Freeman no longer has fast-moving finger mobility, then it’s the perfect note placement and impeccable intonation that impresses, his companions complementing him every bit of the way. No-one overplays – they know a good groove when they hear one and fall right in. Superb music: a certainty for my 'Top Ten of 2023’ list. Gorgeous, George!