MUSIC
LIFE in TUNE In the Freelon family, music is a means to share stories of life and loss by DAVID MENCONI photography by SAMANTHA EVERETTE
T
he Freelons have long been considered the first family of Durham’s artistic community, in many ways serving as the face of the city. Matriarch Nnenna Freelon, 67, has amassed six Grammy nominations through a stellar career as a jazz singer. Her late husband Phil, a renowned
architect, designed landmark buildings including the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at his alma mater North Carolina State University. Their son Deen is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and daughter Maya
is a visual artist. Their other son Pierce is both a Durham City Council representative and an acclaimed hip-hop artist. Despite the charmed-life appearances, however, the Freelons have endured a lifetime of loss in recent years. Both Nnenna and Pierce have turned to music to heal and record the hard times as well The Art & Soul of Raleigh | 37
