SINATRALAND – EXPLORING THE MUSICAL WORLD OF FRANK SINATRA

(Press release)

On Thursday 26 November the BBC Big Band along with three of today’s leading jazz vocalists; Liane Carroll, Claire Martin and Ian Shaw perform a unique musical tribute to the 20^th Century’s greatest interpreter of popular song at Sage Gateshead. (Photo shows Claire Martin and Ian Shaw with local songsters Ann Alex and Claire Kelly).

In a career spanning 60 years Frank Sinatra set the standards, defined and in many cases redefined ‘the great American songbook’.  From his early days with the swing era big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey to his sold out stadium tours of the 70’s and 80’s, Ol’ Blue Eyes laid down the musical route that his contemporaries would follow, and in the process created a unique sound and style which remains hugely influential in today’s world of music.

In this special performance to mark his forthcoming Centenary, the BBC Big Band and their guests explore the musical landscape of Frank’s world with classic versions of the songs he made famous.  These include Brazil, In the Still of the Night, Only the Lonely, Come Fly with Me, One for My Baby, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning and All Or Nothing At All. 

Taking a cue from his pioneering spirit of creativity and never ending quest for innovation with his favourite collaborators; arrangers Nelson Riddle, Billy, May and Gordon Jenkins, there will be new settings of a number of Sinatra classics heard for the first time in this concert.  These include One For My Baby, It’s A Lonesome Old Town and Witchcraft which have been arranged by some of today’s most talented big band writers.  These include veteran Hollywood composer Patrick Williams, the Guildhall School of Music’s Head of Jazz, Malcolm Edmonstone, the director of Hamburg’s NDR Big Band, Joerg-Achim Keller, and leading jazz trombonist Mark Nightingale who also directs the BBC Big Band in this performance, which is being recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up.
Sinatraland - The BBC Big Band In Concert with special guests Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw takes place in Sage One, Thursday 25 November. Tickets can be booked either by calling 0191 443 4661, online at sagegateshead.com or in person from Sage Gateshead’s Ticket Office.