The Four Freshmen in Phoenix

The Four Freshmen are an American vocal-jazz quartet formed in Indianapolis in 1948 by college students. Close four-part harmony and jazz-oriented arrangements shaped songs including “Graduation Day” and “Day by Day,” as well as the albums Voices in Modern and Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones. Their vocal approach became an important model for Brian Wilson as he developed the Beach Boys’ harmony sound. Road Show put the quartet on a 1959 concert package with Stan Kenton and June Christy, and Capitol documented the performances on a live album. The Four Freshmen at the Sands later captured a Las Vegas engagement, while Live at Butler University recorded a return to the school where the group began. Through successive lineups, the quartet has continued to sing four-part arrangements while accompanying itself on instruments, preserving the concert format established by founding member Ross Barbour.