Artist artifact

Jazz

Frank Sinatra

Interpreter of the Great American Songbook whose phrasing, microphone intimacy, and concept-album instincts defined mid-century popular singing.

Biography

Interpreter of the Great American Songbook whose phrasing, microphone intimacy, and concept-album instincts defined mid-century popular singing.

Influence

Turned popular song into adult narrative art; influenced everyone from Tony Bennett to contemporary crooners and hip-hop sample culture that still mines Capitol-era charts.

Historical context

Interpreter of the Great American Songbook whose phrasing, microphone intimacy, and concept-album instincts defined mid-century popular singing. Turned popular song into adult narrative art; influenced everyone from Tony Bennett to contemporary crooners and hip-hop sample culture that still mines Capitol-era charts. His 1950s Capitol albums with arrangers like Nelson Riddle helped invent the 'concept' long-player for popular singers before rock claimed the form.

Associated instruments

  • Vocals

Specimen note

His 1950s Capitol albums with arrangers like Nelson Riddle helped invent the 'concept' long-player for popular singers before rock claimed the form.