Freda Payne Tribute

Here is an electric song, performed by the beautiful singer Freda Payne, who was a great jazz and standards singer before becoming a "disco queen" in the 1970's (she has now returned to her roots).
Freda Charcelia Payne (born in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African-American singer and actress. At an early age, Freda Payne grew up listening to different jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday which helped her develop a taste for music. As a teenager, she attended the Institute of Musical Arts; she soon began singing radio commercial jingles and took part in (and won many of) local TV and radio talent shows. Her polished voice caught the attention of many different people including record producers. Berry Gordy wanted to give her a recording contract with Motown, and Duke Ellington (after allowing her to sing with his orchestra in Pittsburgh for two nights) also wanted to give her a contract. In 1963, she moved to New York City and worked with many different entertainers including Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Cosby. During that same year, her debut album, a jazz recording entitled "After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!", was released on the Impulse! label. She made occasional guest appearances on different television shows including The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show. She even added theatrical credits to her repertoire; she understudied Leslie Uggams for the Broadway show "Hallelujah Baby" in 1967 and appeared with the Equity Theatre in a production of "Lost in the Stars". But it is the R&B song "Band of Gold" that gave her celebrity. She continued till now to act and sing, and made recently a new jazz-oriented album.
Enjoy Freda's voice and style!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Freda
• Payne

[3811iberis]

Wow! This woman is the epitome of beauty, sophistication, and talent, one of the prettiest women I've ever laid eyes on, and just listen to that voice, it speaks for itself, kudos johnxxx20000 for this tribute.

[johnxxx20000]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked this, because this singer is unjustly forgotten today!

[Detroit1967]

Now that's what I call class - excellent performer and singer - from Detroit, of course ;)

[Ilvcamusic]

God, she is so beautiful.........I love all her music. Watching her on pbs special was amazing!! Dammmmmm

[justjack78]

freda is one of the best!

[bandstand54]

Freda Payne went on Dick Clark's "AMERICAN BANDSTAND' October 30, 1971. Freda performed "bring the boys home" which charted at #12 on the billboard charts.

[britmys]

And now she is touring in an Ella Fitzgerald tribute concert! Wow!

[MRSTONE969]

Yeah that pop Band of Gold shit sucks. She should have stayed with Jazz and done some sexy blaxploitation flicks like Pam Grier!

[lostdiva77]

I love this albu! I have looking for it for years after my friend ned turned me on to it years ago! I wish someone would post all the songs from this album!

[rayclarkpalmer]

I never thought much of Freda's voice before. Always thought it was too weak, and thin, but this has changed my mind. She has pipes. I like this more than any of the songs for which she is famous (Band of Gold, etc.) She should have remained with jazz and left pop alone. Jazz is where her voice works bests.