Tootsie Tunes is a collection of 14 original, new, stride jazz piano tunes with a touch of rag. Influenced by the genius of such artists as Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and Willie "The Lion" Smith, pianist/composer Richard Freitas has put his own twist on this swinging, happy, and totally irresistible music of the 1920's and 1930's. 　　 　　Richard's professional career in music began as a pianist/arranger in bands and studios in and around New York City. He has performed with such great artists as Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Cab Calloway, Nell Carter, Little Anthony and the Imperials and The Drifters, to name a few. 　　 　　Richard has written and produced music for PBS (Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Square One TV), NBC (Saturday Night Live, Rosie O'Donnell, Passions), as well as for CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, Disney, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, Random House and many other clients. 　　 　　His body of work, numbering well over 1000 pieces, is broadcast in some 60 countries and has garnered 3 Emmy nominations, a Grammy nomination and 7 International Telly Awards. 　　 　　Richard and his wife, producer/director Gerri Brioso, share their musical career with a big, fuzzy, goofy, sweetheart of a dog named Tootsie, while splitting their time between New York City and Connecticut. 　　 　　NEWS 　　 　　"Would 'Ya" from Tootsie Tunes is featured in the just released major film, "American Pastime". Distributed worldwide by Warner Bros., the story centers around the internment of Japanese Americans during World War 2. The film was released in theatres on May 11 and on DVD on May 22. "Would 'Ya" was rerecorded with a small jazz combo featuring Stan Vansant on clarinet and Richard Freitas on piano. 　　 　　Tootsie Tunes took 2nd place as best solo piano album at the JPF International Music Awards held on November 4th,2006. 600 albums were nominated out of a total of 25,500 entries. Richard performed "Try 'n Catch Me" from the album to a very enthusiastic audience at the awards ceremony in the Galaxy Music Theatre, Santa Ana, Ca. 　　 　　READ WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT TOOTSIE TUNES: 　　 　　"Richard Freitas composes happy music and the way he swings it on his new CD, "Tootsie Tunes", makes it charming and rather irresistible.The tunes are catchy with melodies that are easily followed and titles that seem to fit. The recorded sound is crisp and clear, the piano is a Steinway grand and the face of the CD itself is cleverly designed to mimic a 45 rpm extended play record." 　　Jack Rummel, Jazz Reviewer 　　 　　"The 20's were indeed "roaring", and Richard brings that magic era back to life with his fascinating playing." 　　Albert Khalis Pride - Jazz Exodus (Dec 19, 2005) 　　 　　"The whole album is just delightful with fine musicianship." 　　Lise Avery 　　Executive Producer 　　Anything Goes!! with Lise Avery 　　Internationally Syndicated Radio 　　 　　"I took Tootsie Tunes home with me from the radio station and played it while working on a jazz newsletter. It is brilliant all the way thru." 　　"The Jazz Is Out There" WBLZ, Birmingham, Al. 　　 　　"The Tootsie Tunes CD definitely has heart. Thanks for sharing with our listeners." 　　Brian Hart, Jazz Radio Host - WVUD, Newark, Delaware 　　 　　"We received the Tootsie Tunes CD. Wonderful stuff. It has been on the air for weeks now. Got some great compliments on it. " 　　Jonathan Westerling 　　Founder & President 　　Radio Sausalito 100.1fm 　　 　　"What great traveling music! Tootsie Tunes kept the energy high on my recent cross country road trip." 　　Brian Meehl, Redding, Ct. 　　 　　"Tootsie Tunes has quickly become my favorite CD for driving, cooking and general mood elevation! It makes me smile every time I put it on! 　　I'm ordering more because I love making my friends happy too!" 　　Linda Kallman, Nyack, NY 　　 　　"Your CD is terrific! I would just warn people to watch themselves if they play it in their cars, because the cheerful music could send them way over the speed limit! Seriously, great musicianship here, and I would most certainly recommend the album to anyone who just enjoys good music and a good time." 　　Allan Turner, Milton ON Canada 　　 　　"For anyone who's had a stressful day, come home and listen to the 　　stride piano rags of Richard Freitas. Your bad day will fade away as the joyful, tapable, snapable, singable Tootsie Tunes re-energize you and make you feel good." 　　Lisa Simon New York, New York 　　 　　"I LOVE TOOTSIE TUNES!!! I want to get about 20 of the CDs as stocking stuffers for Christmas. What cheerful, fun, toe-tapping, life affirming music! It's brilliant!" 　　Jacqueline Flamm, Hillsborough, NJ 　　 　　"I've listened with great enjoyment to every last note (and there a 　　bunch of 'em) on your CD. Terrific stuff, and clearly from the heart." 　　Richard Dubin, Syracuse University, The Newhouse School of Public Communcations 　　 　　"Your music is a joy!" 　　Dulcy Singer, NYC - Former Executive Producer-Sesame Street 　　 　　"I must have looked like a grinning idiot mowing the lawn with the headphones blasting those Tootsie Tunes into my baking brain last week." 　　John Calabria, Bridgewater, Virginia 　　 　　"What a surprise in today's mail, your wonderful CD. I'm off now for about a half hour drive and I'm going to be tapping all the way as I listen to your playing. How fortunate we are!" 　　Richard and Annette Gentile, Huntington, NY 　　 　　"Tootsie Tunes is fantastic and great music to listen to when you're cleaning the house! Those dishes just flew out of the dishwasher etc, etc- effortlessly. I played it on Monday for my guests, and they loved it too. Great job!" 　　Jeanne Stephan, Milford, Ct. 　　 　　"The Tootsie Tunes CD is wonderful. We listened to it while having our dinner the other evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great music!" 　　Bill Kellard and Terry Roberson, Savannah, Georgia