PRESS RELEASE:

For immediate release:

Witches Among Us (Original Cast Album) to be released August 11th, 2015:

Scott Free's fifth full-length release on Leather/Western Records is a paradigm shift from his previous solo, singer/songwriter projects. This time, Scott has produced an original cast album for a musical that he wrote the music and lyrics for, entitled Witches Among Us. Rick Karlin wrote the book for the musical, about an underground coven of fashionable witches and the Greenwich Village nightclub they call home. The New American Folk Theatre of Chicago mounted the first-ever production in the fall of 2014, which was directed by Anthony Whitaker and choreographed by Jamal Howard.

Witches often serve as a metaphor for LGBT folks, as they do in this pre-Stonewall, 1960's, musical. The Mambo Voodoo Lounge provides a refuge for closeted witches and warlocks, where they co-exist peacefully alongside the "bohemian crowd" frequenting Greenwich Village. The Mayor and Police Commissioner have vowed to drive all undesirables from the city prior to the World's Fair. In the end, the witches fight back against the discrimination.

For composing this musical, Scott was inspired by the songs from the movie musicals of the 1940's and 50's, American Jazz standards and the 'Great American Songbook'. His goal was to capture the energy and style of Lounge Music, a 1960's genre lead by composers like Marin Denny and Henry Mancini. The first single released will be the quirky 'Mambo Voodoo Lounge' with vocalist Jamal Howard.

This cast album features performances by Chicago actors Caitlin Jackson, Saja Blevins, Matthew Huston, Kirk Jackson, Julia Chereson, Max Hinders, Jamal Howard and Chris Selefski. Two additional tracks written for the musical, but not used in NAFT production are included. They included performances by Chicago actors Rachel ReneŽ , Anthony Powell, and composer Scott Free. Included in the chorus are Mario Mazzetti, Anthony Whitaker, Joshua Wheeler, and Gene Hendricks.

Scott Free is a two-time Outmusician of the Year winner from the OUTMusic Awards. He has had music videos aired on BET and in the Top 10 Videos of 2009 on LOGO's 'The Click List'. He has been interviewed on NPR's 'All Things Considered' and Canada's MuchMusic station.

The Chicago Reader said ÒScott Free's songs are wonderfully torchyÓ. Sheridan Road Magazine says the music Òcombines Sondheim with the Jazz AgeÓ. Windy City Times called Witches Among Us Òsparkly-as-fairy-dust confectionÓ. This press release also available at WitchesAmongUs.com Contact: Scott Free mrscottfree@gmail.com