Looking For A Frank Sinatra Imitator For Your Party?
There was only one “Chairman of the Board”. Most of the pop and jazz music authorities agree that Frank Sinatra was an innovator, a stylistic genius, a musical communicator, and hundreds of other “things”. There is no shortage of essays and texts written about Sinatra, perhaps the most influential singer of the twentieth century. There is also no shortage of Frank Sinatra imitators and look-a-likes. It would seem obvious why so many would seek to emulate Frank Sinatra. Certainly it comes from the pure awe and respect of his legend, musical artistry and musical legacy that they so frequently don the tux and fedora. It probably doesn’t hurt also that being in costume aides in masking the musical shortcomings and inadequacies that most of the karaoke Sinatra’s possess. To be Sinatra for even a minute, is an impossible undertaking! Amateurish at it’s most profound!
Live Music Is The Only Way
People in professional music circles understand the concept of creation and improvisation. A virtuoso pianist or any artist for that matter would probably not perform a note for note solo at the same musical passage, during every performance. It would become tiresome and after all, an artist needs to continue the creative process. An artist worth his salt must improve on his works by phrasing something slightly different or at times completely recreating the composition. This is the nature and definition of an artist and is especially relevant to the jazz musician. This is one of the reasons why jazz and music played in this vein (when played right) is special. It’s the unknown, the uncharted, the original, the moment. This is not possible by any means other than spontaneous performance (as opposed to prerecorded backgrounds). Anything else is imitation. The magic in Frank Sinatra’s choice recordings is there in the recordings. There were at times, numerous takes of a particular song before the right combination of factors presented themselves. When, they all came together, a great recording was made. They never sounded quite the same when he sang them at his live performances. They weren’t supposed to. Not that there was anything wrong with the live versions (in fact some live performances undoubtably superceded the studio versions of the same songs) they were simply different versions.
Frank Sinatra Imitators By The Dozens
The web is filled with men who think they can fill the shoes of Frank Sinatra by singing the songs to identical arrangements that Sinatra used and in the identical manner. First of all, about 3 in 100 has the voice. Therefore, 97 in 100 don’t. Second, they are using prerecorded tracks (no band or orchestra). These tracks are often made with electronic instruments that don’t even come close to sounding like the instruments they were intended on substituting. How uninspiring and unexciting! There can be little spontaneity by the vocalist when they are locked into this framework. Lastly, one becomes a professional with intensive study and from working regularly at his chosen profession. There are truly few performing opportunities for a singer to become proficient at commanding a band or a crowd of attentive listeners, aside from the karaoke bars that now dominate the landscape.
The Solution: Frank Lamphere Singing Frank Sinatra
Enter Chicago based vocalist Frank Lamphere. Frank, with a massive repertoire (in excess of 2000 songs) sings the majority of the Frank Sinatra catalogue. While admittedly dabbling in the karaoke scene for several years, Frank, also found the opportunities few and far between to be invited to “sit in” with established wedding and bar bands. The breakthrough finally came in 1995 while “on the town” Frank, happened into a piano bar and was “knocked out” by the singing and the stage presence of the patrons. One at a time they took their turns singing their renditions of traditional American standards being accompanied by a hard working piano player. Frank became one of those singing patrons and soon after was a main attraction at piano bars all over the city. This was a formative period for Lamphere who within a couple of years was putting his own bands together and working the club scene. Recordings and more lucrative jobs followed as he honed his style and voice all the while developing a name for himself not just as a very proficient singer but also as a capable bandleader. Today, having a very busy schedule of performance dates, he has taken his vocalizing still to another level on par with the singers of the great pop music era of the 1930-60’s. Frank’s vocal prowess, combined with an uncanny knowledge of old pop & jazz music, the skill at knowing “what to play” and when to play it and the business sense to put it all together, is an absolutely unbeatable formula for maximum musical success for any event. For pricing and availability to perform for your event or organization phone Frank today at 630-202-4887