The Four Freshmen
In 1948, four young men created a sound that forever changed the way vocal jazz harmony was heard and performed. Known as The Four Freshmen, the group started with two brothers, Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch. With a soaring, true tenor in Bob Flanigan, the group created a sound that has endured for over 6 decades. Hal Kratzsch sang the bass part and played trumpet. He sang the bass part with a big sound, laying the foundation for the Barbour brothers to add their beautiful inner part stylings. Ross sang the 3rd part and played drums. Don sang the 2nd part and played guitar. Thus, the original Four Freshmen was born and began touring, playing bowling alleys and small clubs across the country.
Today, the group lives on with Bob Ferreira, joining the Freshmen in 1992, who sings the bass vocal part and plays drums. Jonathan Gaines, joining the Freshmen in 2017, sings the 3rd part and plays trumpet. Stein Malvey joined the Freshmen in 2013, he sings the 2nd part, and plays guitar. Tommy Boynton who joined the Freshmen in 2015 and sings the lead vocals and plays bass.
