Fred de Jong - Biography
Quick Facts
Fred de Jong
August 7, 1963
Strijen, Netherlands
Aruba since 1997
Izaäk Franciscus de Jong
Great American Songbook
Classic American Standards
Frank Sinatra & the Golden Age o Music
About Fred de Jong
Bringing the Great American Songbook to Life in Aruba
Born in Strijen, the Netherlands, on August 7, 1963, Fred de Jong moved to the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba in 1997. Over the years, he has developed a deep appreciation for the timeless music of the Great American Songbook, particularly the extraordinary musical legacy of Frank Sinatra.
His repertoire celebrates legendary composers and songwriters such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Johnny Mercer, together with the magnificent orchestral arrangements that helped define the golden age of popular music.
More Than a Sinatra Tribute
While Frank Sinatra remains a major inspiration, Fred's performances extend beyond the familiar Sinatra classics.
His concerts take audiences on a musical journey through decades of unforgettable melodies, sophisticated arrangements, romantic ballads, and swinging big-band favorites.
From intimate love songs to energetic showstoppers, Fred combines his distinctive vocal interpretations with a warm, engaging stage presence.
A Personal Concert Experience
What makes a Fred de Jong concert special is not just the music, but the connection with the audience.
Fred enjoys sharing entertaining anecdotes, introducing the stories behind the songs, and bringing a touch of classic Las Vegas showmanship to every performance.
Whether performing in an intimate setting or entertaining a larger audience, his goal remains the same: to create an enjoyable and memorable musical experience.
What Audiences Are Saying
"His renditions of Sinatra's songs were excellent and the big band background music was a perfect accompaniment. Fred has a wonderful voice and a great personality that comes across in his performance."
"Fred does an excellent job of channeling the chairman of the board. His voice is superb and he sounds just like Sinatra... especially in his phrasing."
"We enjoyed Fred's Sinatra show. He does all the favorite songs mixed with some lesser-known ones. He is engaging with the audience. This is a unique experience for Aruba."
Experience the Music
Today, Fred continues to share his passion for the Great American Songbook through his performances in Aruba, bringing the elegance, romance, humor, and excitement of a timeless musical tradition to new audiences.
Discover upcoming concerts or inquire about a private performance.
From Brass Bands to Rock & Soul
Fred de Jong's musical journey began in the Netherlands, where he earned his first music diploma in elementary school and learned the fundamentals of musical notation.
At the age of twelve, he joined a local brass band, playing the cornet and developing his music-reading skills.
When he turned eighteen, Fred bought his first bass guitar and began performing with local bands. Soon afterward, he added a Spanish guitar to his collection and taught himself to play chords.
Over the following years, he explored a remarkable variety of musical styles, including reggae, pop, rock, blues, soul, and funk.
These early experiences gave him a broad musical foundation and an appreciation for rhythm, melody, and the art of performing with other musicians.
Discovering Jazz and the Great American Songbook
Around 1991, Fred joined a jazz combo called Just Friends, performing jazz standards from the famous Real Book.
The repertoire introduced him to the extraordinary music associated with legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, and Natalie Cole.
His growing enthusiasm for jazz inspired him to purchase a double bass during a visit to Prague. The instrument, built by Czech luthier Josef Budil in the 1960s, became part of his musical journey.
It was during this period that Fred first ventured into singing. His first vocal performance with the combo was All My Tomorrows, accompanying himself on the double bass — a challenging combination that he still remembers.
Although he experimented with singing different musical genres, Fred gradually discovered that the songs associated with Frank Sinatra suited his voice, personality, and musical instincts particularly well.
From Jazz Jams to Aruba Sinatra Concerts
Fred first visited Aruba in 1996 and fell in love with the island. In 1997, he moved there and began working as a teacher in secondary vocational education.
Music remained an important part of his life. He participated in weekly jazz jam sessions and gradually discovered how much American visitors appreciated the timeless standards of the Great American Songbook.
Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Fred began singing more of these classics.
In 2012, he took a major step by organizing his first Aruba Sinatra concerts at Old Cunucu House Restaurant.
One of his most memorable early experiences involved a table of eight senior citizens from New York. Standing before an audience so familiar with American popular music, Fred wondered what he was doing there with his limited formal vocal training at the time and unmistakable Dutch accent.
To his surprise, they loved the performance.
That encouragement helped him continue developing his shows. Over approximately eleven years, Fred organized and marketed his own concerts, sold tickets, and built relationships with visitors who returned to Aruba.
He also became a regular entertainer at Barceló Aruba, where he has performed for more than a decade.
Refining the Voice, Keeping the Music Alive
Fred has always believed that a good performance is about much more than singing the right notes.
Following his first concerts, he invested in singing lessons, vocal coaching, and spoken English training, continuously improving his technique, pronunciation, and stage presence.
Today, his performances celebrate the magnificent big-band arrangements, memorable melodies, and romantic lyrics that made the Great American Songbook an enduring musical treasure.
He enjoys connecting with audiences, sharing stories behind the songs, and bringing humor and emotion to the stage. Whether performing for an intimate gathering or a larger hotel audience, his goal is to make every show a memorable experience.
Looking ahead, Fred hopes to expand internationally through his Keynote Concert Experience concept, combining musical entertainment with meaningful messages. He is also exploring the possibility of releasing recordings drawn from his live performance videos.
For Fred, the musical journey continues — with new audiences, new opportunities, and the timeless music he loves.
Experience Fred de Jong Live
Discover upcoming concerts in Aruba or inquire about private performances and international concert opportunities.