Career
He is known for his unique skills as a trumpeter and left his mark on a range of larger bands such as the orchestras of Alvino Rey, Charlie Spivak, Les Brown"s Band of Renown, and Mel Torme"s Mel-Tones, in the jazz music scene of the period surrounding World World War World War II He later ventured off with his own New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz band The Paul Fredricks Orchestra, later The Crescent City Stompers. He was featured in some Hollywood films including A. Edward Sutherland and Radio-Keith-Orpheum Pictures" Sing Your Worries Away (1942), starring Buddy Ebsen, Patsy Kelly and Bert Lahr.
He developed his skills playing on his own and in several local bands as a young boy until he left home at 16 to pursue his dreams in New York City"s music scene of the time. Throughout his eight decades as a professional musician, he cultivated a versatile career and recognized musical style.
Fredricks began his professional music career in New York City at the age of 16 playing gigs at the Lincoln Hotel in New York City and the Rustic Cabin in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, a launch pad of Frank Sinatra.
He continued playing with big bands before and after the war, during which he voluntarily entered to serve in the United States Army in the Asia-Pacific Arena. In the years surrounding the war, he toured across the country and was featured in shows in Hollywood, California. The Roseland Ballroom, The Paramount Theater and The Palladium/Academy of Music in New New York
In 1941, after Alvino Rey’s group played at New York"s Paramount Theater, which led to greater exposure, they became one of the most popular acts in the country, recording top ten hits and making appearances in Hollywood films including A. Edward Sutherland and Radio-Keith-Orpheum Pictures" Sing Your Worries Away (1942), and others
Rey re-organized the orchestra, expanding the brass section including Paul Fredricks. Fredricks served in the United States. Army and toured the Asia-Pacific Arena serving his country in a number of roles.
After the war, Fredricks was scouted by Charlie Spivak and played with his orchestra between 1946 and 1948. Paul retired from work with Charlie Spivak’s Orchestra to start his own New Orlean"s style jazz band The Paul Fredricks Orchestra, later The Crescent City Stompers, for which he led tours for many years to come.