RAT PACK JAZZ BLOG - FRANK LAMPHERE

Crooner Frank Lamphere accompanied by his trio of pianist, bassist and drummer, continue in Westmont for the month of September. Finishing off the month of August will be a fabulous jazz trio with: Larry Harris piano, Jim Cox bass, and Bob Rummage on drums.

Thursdays from 8:00PM til 11:00 they perform jazz and retro-pop standards. Grape Restaurant is located at 244-246 N. Cass Ave. in Westmont (630) 968-9999

Every Thursday Frank and His Trio take the stage at Grape Restaurant in Westmont. A beautiful nightclub 3 blocks South of Ogden Ave on Cass. The acoustics are outstanding, the staff is friendly & professional, and the food “outstanding”
The music begins at 8PM. There are always a couple of instrumentals showcasing the finest jazz musicians in Chicagoland or anywhere in the country for that matter. Then singer Frank Lamphere takes the stage acting as both singer and navigator of the great American songbook. Frank sings the obscure and sings the most popular. As the evening progresses Frank will sing in flawless Italian, sing a blues, sing an Elvis tune, sing an original or three, tell a story and make it all flow seemlessly. With such a gigantic playlist, things never get dull! A veteran entertainer, Frank injects an “edgy” humor and an educated musical perspective to his performances. Come for dinner, seated at a cozy table or sit in the bar area. This is classy yet, the most comfortable establishment in the suburbs. Best of all, there is only a $5.00 cover per person! Make your reservations today! 630-968-9999

Frank will be “Spot-Lighting” various albums over the next several weeks. That is, taking a side of an important vinyl album and doing those songs in their original keys. It will be informative and interesting. Recent “Spotlights” have included “The Dean Martin Television Show” and “Strangers In The Night - Sinatra Sings For Moderns” both albums from 1966.

Reservations are highly recommended!

Lamphere and His Rat Pack Jazz Quartet will perform 4 sets at Jilly’s Naperville, June 13 & 28 and July 19.

Singer Frank Lamphere was in studio at C.R.C  yesterday, to record a jingle that will be heard over the radio airwaves in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tune “Stan’s, Where Fashion Fits” with an exciting big band arrangement, was written, arranged and produced by the very talented Terry Sweet of Terry Sweet & Associates. The one minute jingle featured some very known Chicago musicians including: trumpeters Bobby Lewis and Ron Friedman  the sound engineering by Chris Steinmetz. The song will be used as part of a Spring advertising campaign for Stan’s - Fit For Your Feet  a family owned chain of shoe stores in Milwaukee.  

Lamphere, based in the Chicago, who has done several weddings and private parties in Milwaukee was delighted to be a part of this project.

The rousing cheers from the sellout crowd at the Jumpin’ Jazz Ballroom in Milan, Italy on January 12 summed it up. Italians love the American songbook especially, when interpreted by a real “live” American singer, and that singer was Frank Lamphere. Lamphere who had sang three sets was already backstage when the crowd insisted on an encore. The dance floor filled again as Frank sent them home humming the melody to Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust. Plans for a return engagement and an extended tour are in negotiations. 

Frank Lamphere no stranger to Europe, heads to Northern Italy to perform with the Jumpin’ Jazz Band.

On Saturday January 12, at the Jumpin’ Jazz Ballroom in Milan, Chicago based singer-songwriter Frank Lamphere

will be the special musical guest. Exited about bringing his trademark Rat Pack Jazz to Italy, Frank hopes that this particular

trip will be the first of many to come.

Vocalist Frank Lamphere, backstage at a recent Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme concert. Frank is pictured with Steve & Eydie’s guitarist Al Caiola (famed recording artist heard on such recordings as Bonanza and The Magnificent Seven) and drummer Chuck Christiansen. Chuck, a Chicago area resident, in addition to being the “resident drummer” for Steve & Eydie, has toured with many of the big name vocalists including: Vic Damone, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra Jr. and even Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Frank Lamphere’s website is found at www.ratpackjazz.com

Add songwriter to Frank Lamphere’s list of credits. That’s right, Frank has written his first song. (music and lyrics) As odd as it may seem, the song came to Frank in a dream. The song will be registered and then recorded in the Spring of 2008. The smokin’ uptempo piece will feature an allstar big band. Although we can’t yet go into details, we can tell you that the song has to do with a large metropolitan area and that hopes are high on this song becoming a modern classic. More to follow in the weeks ahead. Check out Frank Lamphere’s website at www.ratpackjazz.com