Connie Fredericks-Malone

CONNIE FREDERICKS-MALONE
Vocalist / Entertainer

“I fancy myself as a girl singer in a big band”, laughs Connie Fredericks-Malone. “I love that a band or orchestra provides the dance music, and the vocalist sings the lyrics that enrich the music.

Connie’s first love is singing the songs she heard her mother sing when she was a child. “Mom sang gospel, classical music, and jazz standards. She was often the local vocalist featured with big bands when they came through Springfield, Massachusetts during the 1950s”, says Connie. “I listened to the music my parents listened to.” This experience helped Connie to embrace a repertoire of songs that have remained closest to her heart. “I’ve wanted to sing this kind of music for a very long time.”

Music held a special place in Connie’s home and spawned the amazing careers of her older brother, Grammy Award winning blues legend Taj Mahal, and her younger sister, Carole Fredericks, who was a treasured pop vocalist/performer in France and throughout the Francophone world. The creative-musical torch continues into the next generation in the hands of songstress Deva Mahal, actress Safyia Fredericks, novelist and spoken word poet Aya De Leon, Hip-Hop artist CoCo Peila, and musician Rahsaan Fredericks – just to name a few. Simply put, music and the creative arts are the soul of her family.

A musical theatre actor for many years, Connie developed her 4-octave range and performance skills on stage, in cabaret rooms and small jazz clubs in Manhattan.

“A well-constructed song tells a story. As an actor, I am attracted to the drama in a song. The arrangement and melody may draw my attention to a particular work, but it is always the lyrics, the story within the song, that compel me to sing it. Each song has its own personality. That is what is exciting about singing older material. The songs are rich with innuendo and subtext.”

In 2018 Connie launched her one woman show ALONE WITH MY MUSIC. Accompanied by digitally mastered instrumental tracks, Connie sings jazz standards and songs from the Big Band era. She teamed up with Rochester’s own multi-talented musician, Scott Bradley. Bradley sets the arrangements and is often heard playing trumpet and piano. He then records the instrumental tracks. Bradley’s arrangements mirror the musical style of bands during the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. The arrangements allow audiences to hear and enjoy the band playing. For those who dance swing and ballroom, ALONE WITH MY MUSIC presents iconic tunes you can ‘cut a rug’ to. Audiences are encouraged to clap, snap, and get up and dance!
Connie Fredericks-Malone reinterprets songs made famous by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Dakota Staton, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline and many, many others.

“Songs performed by these artists are loved by audiences of all ages. It is a thrill to perform them once again and to add my interpretation”, says Connie.

Connie Fredericks-Malone ALONE WITH MY MUSIC can be enjoyed twice per month at Prosecco Italian Restaurant in Farmington and Sunday Brunch at New York Kitchen. Consult Connie’s website (www.conniefredericksmalone.com) for details.

Photo credit: George Wallace
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