Carole Fredericks

Carole Denise Fredericks (June 5, 1952, Springfield, Massachusetts – June 7, 2001, Dakar, Senegal) was an American singer best known for her work in French music. She was the younger sister of Taj Mahal.

Between 1990 and 1996 she was in the trio Fredericks Goldman Jones alongside singer-songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman and Welsh–French guitarist Michael Jones.

Biography

Early Years

Carole Denise Fredericks was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 5, 1952, the youngest of Mildred and Harry Fredericks' five children. She and her siblings were raised in Springfield and were educated in the public school system. Her mother who was originally from Bennettsville, South Carolina, sang with Big Bands and on Sundays was the lead singer for a local gospel choir. Her father, the son of immigrants from the island of Saint Kitts, was a pianist and wrote arrangements for jazz trios. Growing up in her household, Fredericks was exposed to music from around the world. Her parents encouraged creative expression in all their children. Fredericks' brothers and sister developed careers in art, music, dance and theatre. Her eldest brother is Grammy-winning blues musician, Taj Mahal.

Her parents, who came of age during the Harlem Renaissance, instilled in their children a sense of pride in their West Indian and African ancestry through their stories. Fredericks never got to know her father. When she was two years old, he was killed in a construction accident, crushed by a tractor when it flipped over. Although her mother would remarry later, the loss of her father left Fredericks with grief that remained with her the rest of her life.

By the time she was 20, Fredericks was living in Oakland, California. A year after her graduation from Classical High School, she persuaded Taj Mahal to send for her. Upon her arrival in San Francisco, He put Fredericks to work as a background vocalist on a number of his albums – Mo' Roots; Music Fuh Ya'; Together; and Evolution. To supplement the income from session work, Carole was employed as a receptionist for the Pacific Personnel Services. She was one of 71 voices in the New Generation Singers Gospel Choir (Oakland, California) and performed with Odetta in the stage play Look What A Wonder. Fredericks organized a trio – piano, bass and voice – and booked singing engagements on the weekends.

In an interview from OH LA! Magazine she said: "I was part of a choir for three years and I was doing backup work. It was not enough to sustain a comfortable lifestyle and I started to get sick and tired of this life. I refused to get by on my brother's name. During this period, I was working in San Francisco at a French restaurant, La Belle Helene. Some of the patrons would often suggest that I go to France. They said I would do very well there. They were very convincing and without knowing a bit of French, I left it all. I bought a one-way ticket and I was off to Paris. Everyone thought I was crazy."

Arrival in France

Fredericks arrived in France to pursue a singing career in January 1979. Fredericks met the owner of La Belle Helene at the airport.

"He called his friends and I found myself working almost immediately. I started to sing everywhere. It was barely three weeks after my arrival that I was signed with Carla Music to record a disco album entitled Black Orchid."

One of the songwriters for Black Orchid was another American singer, Ann Calvert. Through Calvert, Fredericks met Baltimore native Yvonne Jones. Together they formed a trio of background vocalists that were in demand by leading recording artists – Dalida, Johnny Hallyday, Hugues Aufray, Carlos and Sylvie Vartan.

Fredericks was determined to learn French as quickly as possible. As her knowledge improved, engagements extended from the studio to the stage. By 1985, Fredericks had established herself as a singer and performing in concerts with Laurent Voulzy, Michel Berger, France Gall and Eddy Mitchell. In 1981 she was a backing singer for Jean-Claude Pascal on the Luxembourg entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, tying for eleventh place.

1985

In 1985, Fredericks was featured in the Gilbert Bécaud spectacular. Later that year, she toured Scandinavia with Mireille Mathieu. She was cast in Je vous aime by Claude Berri and in Roman Polanski's Pirates opposite Walter Matthau. Other film roles followed.

1986

Fredericks' knowledge of the French language greatly contributed to her success. By now Fredericks was singing with leading Francophone artists – Johnny Hallyday, Mylène Farmer, François Feldman, Patricia Kaas, Julien Clerc, and Liane Foly.

Her reputation brought her name to the attention of Jean-Jacques Goldman.

Fredericks Goldman Jones

"A larger than life figure with a generous spirit, Carole was a performer who threw herself into her live performances body and soul. She liked nothing more than getting involved in fund-raising tours with singers and musician friends. Indeed, Carole was a regular at charity concerts organized by Restos du Cœur and Les Enfoirés. On March 8 (2001) ... she brought the house down at "Voix de l'Espoir [Voices of Hope]" concert organized on International Women's Day. Taking the stage at Club Med World in Paris with a host of other female singers including Princess Erika, Jocelyne Beroard, Rokia Traoré and Lââm, Carole helped to raise much needed funds for the construction of a Pan-African children's hospital in Dakar [Senegal, West Africa]." –Pierre Rene-Worms for rfimusique.com.

Death

Two days after her 49th birthday, Fredericks died of a heart attack in Dakar, Senegal on June 7, 2001. At the request of the French Minister of Culture, Fredericks was buried in Montmartre Cemetery. On June 18, a funeral service was held for her at Eglise Notre-Dame de Clignancourt, the church that stands across from her apartment in the 18th district.

Montmartre Cemetery

20 Avenue Rachel 75018 Paris, France 23rd Division - Avenue Carrière

"I am especially touched by this award given to our friend Carole.

Although Carole was profoundly American, she was symbol of the mix of cultures that she represented in the most beautiful way: by her voice, through the music. Thank you for this gesture which honors her memory. She lives still in France, through her songs and in many hearts. Through her, it is the America that we love."

... aka Roselyne and the Lions (UK)

• Les deux crocodiles (1987) .... Mamoudou, femme de Julien

... aka The Joint Brothers (USA: review title)

• I Love You (1986) .... Angèle
• Pirates (1986) .... Surprise

Self –Television

• Taratata 1993 -2001
• LES RESTOS DE CŒUR 1992 - 20001

Self - Video

• Le Prix a Payer (2000)
• Personne ne saurait (1998)
• Respire (1999)
• Qu'est-ce qui t'amene? (1999)
• L'Odyssée des Enfoirés (2001)
• Yannick Noah Enfants De La Terre Tennis – Concert 2000
• Les Enfoirés en 2000
• Jean-Jacques Goldman INTEGRALE DES CLIPS 1981/2000
• Jean-Jacques Goldman Souvenirs de Tournées (2000)

CARNET DE ROUTE 1981 / 1986, TRACES

• les Enfoirés : Dernière édition... avant l'an 2000–1999
• Fredericks Goldman Jones Du Morning Au Zenith (1999)
• Enfoirés en coeur (1998)
• Poetic Lover (1998 Documentary)
• Le Zénith des Enfoirés (1997)
• Run Away Love (1997)
• Change (1996)
• La Soirée des Enfoirés 96 (1996)
• les Enfoirés à l'Opéra-Comique (1995)
• Fredericks Goldman Jones Tours et Détours (1995 Documentary concert video)
• les Enfoirés au Grand Rex (1994)
• les Enfoirés chantent Starmania (1993)
• La Soirée des Enfoirés à l'Opéra (1992)
• En Concert (Mylène Farmer album) (1990 Documentary concert video)

Important performances

2002 Hommage à Carole Fredericks, Time: 5:15 Dailymotion.com

In his 2002 tour, "Un Tour Ensemble", Goldman paid tribute to his fallen friend, Carole Fredericks. During the concert, Michael Jones and Goldman sang Juste Après, a song from the Rouge album made famous by the trio. Midway through the song a screen was lowered and film footage of Carole was shown as her voice is heard singing with them. Dailymotion video

2001 L’AZIZA, Time: 7:59 Dailymotion.com

Early in 2001, Carole Fredericks performs with Roch Voisine the new single release L’Aziza on the studio television show, Taratata. Following the performance, Carole and Roch are interviewed. L’Aziza was written by Daniel Balavoine and suggested by Jean-Jacques Goldman for Voisine's new album. Dailymotion video

1999 Une femme amoureuse / A Woman in Love, Time : 4:32

Liane Foly and Carole Fredericks perform Une femme amoureuse / A Woman in Love before a studio audience for the music television show, Tapis Rouge on France2. Dailymotion.com video

1998 Personne ne saurait, Time 4:37

Carole Fredericks and Poetic Lovers perform Personne ne saurait for M6 Hit television and studio audiences. Personne ne saurait was written by Jean-Jacques Goldman and Jacques Veneruso. Released on the Couleurs et Parfums album. Dailymotion.com video

1995 Knock On Wood, Time 4:47

Celine Dion, Carole Fredericks, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Michael Jones and company perform Eddie Floyd's Knock on Wood for Taratata TV5 studio and television audiences. Video on YouTube

1995 Think, Time: 2:36

Carole Fredericks, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Michael Jones, Yvonne Jones, Becky Bell perform Aretha Franklin's Think live for New Morning audience. Recorded for Fredericks Goldman Jones album, Du New Morning au Zénith. MySpace.com video

1994 Oh Happy Day, Time 5:15

Carole Fredericks, Florent Pagny, Chérubins de Sarcelle choir perform Edwin Hawkins’ classic gospel song Oh Happy Day for Les Enfoirés Au Grand Rex live concert and television audiences. Video on YouTube

Le pénitencier / House of the Rising Son, Time: 4:23

Isabelle Boulay avec/with Carole Fredericks, Tapis Rouge Television show YouTube.com video

Awards

2008 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

• Reason To Stay (Gildas Arzel / Carole Fredericks) - Honorable Mention in the "Blues" category
• Shine (Erick Benzi / Carole Fredericks) - Honorable Mention in the "Gospel / Christian" category

2006 JAMES W. DODGE AWARD

The 53rd Annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages awarded Carole Fredericks (posthumous award) and her brother, blues musician Taj Mahal, the James W. Dodge Memorial Foreign Language Advocate Award in recognition of the spotlight they shine on the vast potential of music to foster genuine intercultural communication and to maintain cultural heritages.

2004 JUST PLAIN FOLKS (JPF) MUSIC AWARDS

• Springfield - Best Gospel Album
• Shine (Erick Benzi / Carole Fredericks) - Best Gospel Song
• Save My Soul (Erick Benzi / Carole Fredericks) - Best Gospel Song, 2nd Place