His first opportunity to become professional is presented to him by trumpeter Al GOYENS who takes him along with his big band for a tour around American bases in Germany and so he follows in the steps of another great Belgian bass player:Jean WARLAND.
The Lennart JOHNSON studios discover him in 1958 which result in new round of tours around Germany and the rest of Europe with the International Jazz Quartet.

Back in Brussels at the early sixties, he settles at the la Rose Noire where he jams namely with Bud POWELL and Clifford BROWN. He finds Lennart JOHNSON there and during many nights, the musicians of the musical Free And Easy : Phil WOODS, Clark TERRY, Sahib SHIHAB, Jerome RICHARDSON, Melba LISTON and Quincy JONES who is the composer/arranger. The comedy runs for two month; two month during which Freddie has the occasion to hon his play and perfect his approach of harmony.

In 61, Dutch pianist Jack VAN POLL discovers him at his turn. With his trio he plays from the Atlantic to the Ourals : Austria, festivals of Antibes (1963), Prague, Warsaw and Bucharest.

By mid sixties, Freddie DERONDE assimilated Red MITCHELL, Percy HEATH, Paul CHAMBERS (his 1st master). Always guided by Benoît QUERSIN who runs the Blue Note in Brussels, he discovers Scott LA FARO (with the Bill EVANS trio) and it his an earthquake of his musical universe. It is in this line that he will best define himself and it is this manner of playing : velocity, off-tempo, singing, that will stick to him for good.

During the coming decade, he will frequently be associated with René THOMAS (gt), Stu MARTIN (dm) and Chet BAKER (tp), in the Belgian clubs, but also in tours. With them he will accompany : Joe HENDERSON, Lee KONITZ, Stuff SMITH, Al COHN, Zoot SIMS, Don BYAS et Hank MOBLEY (Festival of Yvoir - summer 67).

In 68 and 69, he is present at Montreux with Philip CATHERINE and in 70: with Stu MARTIN. That same year he recorded "Stream" with CATHERINE, Jiggs WHIGHAM (tb), Marc MOULIN (p) and there after with CATHERINE (gt), Joachim KUHN (p), Oliver JOHNSON (dm).
He played in Jean-Luc PONTY's Experience (a remarkable concert at La Pierre Levée in Liège).
With Chet BAKER he tours Italy. African tour with Robin KENYATTA.
In Brussels at the now defunct J. Club he accompanied Clifford JORDAN (ts).

In 1972, a newcomer pianist was to impose himself as a key figure in Belgian jazz : Michel HERR.
Aroun 1973, Michel creates his fusion band SOLIS LACUS with Richard ROUSSELET (tp), Robert JEANNE (ss,ts) and Félix SIMTAINE (drs) and Freddie will be the bassist of the first years.

Following the footsteps of the Bill EVANS trio or the Chick COREA trio sessions, Michel HERR formed a trio with Freddie and Félix SIMTAINE (drs). They recorded "Ouverture Eclair" (LP/CD Oryx 001), still a reference album in Belgian jazz, on which HERR signed all the compositions.
Up to 1980, Freddie DERONDE appears about everywhere on the Belgian scene in company of fellow Belgians or passing Americans like: Lou Mc CONNELL (ts,ss, fl), Phil RAPHAEL (p), Art TAYLOR (dm), Ted CURSON (tp) with whom he recorded, Jon EARDLEY (tp), Pepper ADAMS (bar. sax), J.R. MONTEROSE (ts, ss) who is to become his most faithful companion.
He also appeared with jazz-rock group of Philip CATHERINE and Marc MOULIN, CASINO RAILWAY, and even rock group WALLACE COLLECTION co-lead by another jazz figure: Marc HEROUET (p).

In 1981, it is under his name that he performed at Cascais Jazz festival (Portugal) with Michel HERR (p), Ferdinand POVEL (ts) et John ENGELS (dm).

from 83 to 87, Freddie DERONDE, gravely ill, remains off scene until J.R. MONTEROSE (also recovering from serious health problems and car accident) calls on him.
He tours with the the American tenor during few weeks in the state of New York, replacing Teddy KOTICK.

In 1989, Freddie succeeded a come-back magistral with the recording of "Spontaneous Effort" (Igloo IGL 081) which united MONTEROSE, CATHERINE, Herr and Jan DE HAAS ( dm). Three compositions featuring the contrabass are on it: Fitch's Field, Feux Follets and Tune for Angie, three standards: What's New, All The Things You Are, Concerto and not less than four original compositions of his faithful friend, J.R. MONTEROSE : Alone Again, A Little Pleasure, Ready For Freddie, Phyllis The Queen Of Heart.

Until the death of MONTEROSE from cancer in September 1993, Freddie DERONDE lead a career mainly tilted toward the U.S., where he did at least two tours per year.
When he returned to Belgium he performed in trio with Diederik WISSELS or Michel HERR (p), Dré PALLEMAERTS or Jan DE HAAS (dm).
In October 91, J.R. joined him in Belgium for a tour of great quality with HERR and PALLEMAERTS during which they performed at the Brussels Travers club, at la Ferme de la Madelone in Gouvy and at Jazzkave of Lauwe.

His last playings in Belgium, Freddie DERONDE has done with Erwin VANN (ss,ts), Bert JORIS (tp) (1992) and Peter Peter HERTMANS (gt) (1993).

For the new 94-95 season, Freddie DERONDE has reformed a quartet without piano which reminds the marvelous exchanges which united Chet BAKER and René THOMAS.
The quartet is composed of guitarist Jacques PIROTTON, trumpeter Gino LATTUCA and Jan DE HAAS on drums.

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