Claude Fraysse

Fraysse was born in Versailles on 31 July 1941.[1] In the 1960s, he played in the varieté orchestra "Johann Ness" as a saxophonist, akkordion player and flutist, and also worked as a chanson singer.[1] He collaborated with Charles Aznavour and Jacques Brel, among others, who became his friends.[1]

In the 1970s, he taught trombone and tuba at the conservatoire in Romans.[2] Influenced by Alain Bergese, who taught classical guitar there, he became interested in Christianity in 1973.[1] He composed melodies for hymns, aimed at bringing young people to singing.[1][2] He organised music groups such as Les troubadours de l'Espoir, and held seminars promoting new Christian songs. From 1974, he also gave music lessons at schools. In 1993, he became a pastor of the Reformed Church.[1][2] He recorded songs, and published a book narrating his conversion.[1]

His song "Je louerai l’Eternel" (I will praise the Eternal one) with a harmonisation by Bergese, was translated into German as Ich lobe meinen Gott von ganzem Herzen and became a popular new hymn.[2]

• Claude Fraysse discography at Discogs
• Gotteslobvideo (GL 400): Ich lobe meinen Gott von ganzem Herzen (2014) on YouTube