The voice: Frank Sinatra story

Nick the Nightfly, solo vocals
Chiara Colombo, actress
Gabriele Comeglio's Big Band Jazz Company
Soloists of Orchestra Rai di Milano: Emilio Soana (trumpet), Sandro Gibellini (guitar), Paolo Barbieri (tenor saxophone), Mauro Parodi, Claudio Barbieri (trombone)
Sergio Orlandi, Umberto Marcandalli, Pippo Colucci (trumpets), Angelo Rolando (trombone)
Giulio Visibelli, Marco Gotti, Ubaldo Busco, Maurizio Meggiorini (saxophones)
Giacomo Aula (piano) Marco Ricci (double bass) Stefano Bagnoli (drums)
Dircted and arranged by Gabriele Comeglio

Original production Notti di Luce 2003

Frank Sinatra has been classified as "the single most prominent" singer of popular music of the last century. Considering the co-existence of such voices as Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Cosby, just to name a couple, the above statement can be said to depend on a choice based on personal taste. What remains however, is the fact that, whatever viewpoint one takes, Sinatra was without any doubt an artist who remained one for a very long time, and who was able to overcome passing fashions, who left an indelible mark in the history of singing, and who has influenced very many of his colleagues thanks to a style that was utterly personal and recognizable.
His first big chance came in 1939, when trumpet player Harry James, who had decided he should manage himself after becoming quite famous as a member of the orchestra of legendary Benny Goodman, decided to hire him. This marked the beginning of an incredible career, bringing him to the court of Tommy Dorsey, after which he became a full fledged solo singer in 1943. He made his debut as "supporting act" during Benny Goodman's shows at New York's Paramount Theatre. But the fact was that, when he got onto the stage each night, a crowd of 3,000 would tribute him with a standing ovation even before he started to sing. It became obvious to everyone, then, that Sinatra was not a fashion that would pass: he was an artist who was able to assert himself at the highest levels. In the 1950s Sinatra also became a movie star; and the 1960s, at the peak of rock & roll, he recorded with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, selling millions of records. His unique style made it possible for him to score more and more world hits until the 1990s, with his famous "Duets", with participating stars of the international pop scene, ranging form U2's Bono to Julio Iglesias. Frank Sinatra died on 14 May 1988 at the age of 82.