We have long been proud that in our earliest years, Freyda Epstein played the Blue Moon Coffeehouse. For a new venue ---on a college campus of all things---to establish credibility with national touring artists as we built a good listening room was no small feat. Being able to bring in an artist of Freyda's caliber enhanced our standing with both musicians and our fledgling audiences. This was the quality of music we dreamed of having each time the lights went up at the Blue Moon.
After the show, Freyda confided that it was to be one of the last for the Acoustic AttaTude. The issues prompting that decision were not perceptible in performance---it was magic and Freyda was brilliant. Those present experienced a resplendent night of music seldom equaled.
Through the years since that early visit to the Blue Moon, we kept in touch, and though Freyda's focus shifted to teaching and direction of various choirs, the offer to return to the Blue Moon Coffeehouse remained open whenever her passions returned to performance.
Sadly, it was not to be.
Like many in the folk community and audiences everywhere, we are shocked and full of sorrow at her untimely passing. There is comfort knowing that lives continue to be touched by the gift of her music. That treaure remains...and it must be shared. In addition to her talent as a musician, Freyda was, and continues to be a teacher of the highest order. What a gift she was...and one can only wonder what we will yet learn because of her passion and talent.
Just after Freyda moved to San Francisco, we caught dinner together while both attending the Folk Alliance that year. It was good to catch up and to talk about the music that we mutually love. Best of all, there was time to catch up on our personal lives---without devulging confidences, I can say that Freyda was radiant---life and love were indeed good.
It is the memory of that night that I hold against the reality of her last night. It is the memory of the Blue Moon concert so many years ago that brings her rich voice and musical virtuosity to my ear.
Peace to you, Freyda...and to those written on your heart.