Latest news with #Sinatra
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Behind the music - Let's Be Frank
Experimental jazz act and Frank Sinatra covers band Let's Be Frank have released their debut single, a cover of Fly Me To The Moon. We asked led singer James Gallen the BIG questions . . . The band was founded in November 2023 by Dublin City University jazz students and they are "on a mission to rekindle the soul of the Rat Pack era, delivering fresh takes on Sinatra classics with youthful energy, and sharp arrangements". "Our goal is to capture the elegance and swagger of Sinatra, but give it a heartbeat that feels relevant today," says James. Tell us three things about yourself . . . I'm a 20-year-old singer/songwriter and Jazz music is my happy place. Great to sing with the band Let's be Frank, we're all Jazz and Contemporary Music students at Dublin City University and we bring a fresh take on classic Sinatra tunes and everything Jazz in between. The band members are Joey Leamy, Theo Johnson, Sean Crehan and Jarlath Byrne and we love what we do! I'm happy to be stepping in to a career in music. We've released the first single from our upcoming first album Let's Be Frank, which we had a privilege of recording with Stu Gray at Jealoustown Studios, with mastering by the great Billy Farrell. How would you describe your music? A modern uplift on the great classics of the 1950s and 60s. Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker and, in terms of vocals, I'm a big fan of Mel Tormè. With this mix, you've got an exceptional baritone, a world-class trumpeter and a distinct voice of velvet that stood out of its time. What was the first gig you ever went to? I'd love to say it was Sinatra, but I wasn't around when he was singing in his prime! I believe Take That at Croke park was my first gig - great melodies but not sure that's my thing (but thanks to parents for the ticket!). What was the first record you ever bought? Frank Sinatra's Watertown album from 1970. Really, this is my favourite album to date. It tells a wonderful story in just ten tracks and, in many ways, is a forgotten masterpiece. If you've any interest in hearing a unique music offering I recommend you give it a listen. What's your favourite song right now? I Would be in Love Anyway from Watertown. Our upcoming first album will include our own interpretation of that song. Favourite lyric of all time? "Can't you see that you're leading me on, But it's just what I want you to do, Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost, Thats why I'm following you" - Misty by the pianist Erroll Garner, 1954. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? It has got to be Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma (1945), which is an English version of an older French song, Les Feuilles Mortes (The Dead Leaves). It's really the go-to song for anyone with a love of jazz music, and it's such good fun to improvise as a singer. Where can people find your music/more information? You can visit our website or you can visit our Instagram at @_lets_be_frank_band_.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman wanted on federal warrant arrested in East El Paso
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A woman who had a federal warrant out for her arrest led law enforcement on a short pursuit on Monday, May 19, in East El Paso, according to the El Paso County Constable's Office for Precinct 3. The Constable's Office says a sergeant saw a 2018 Audi traveling northbound at the 1100 block of North Yarbrough that Monday and attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle, which was being driven by Yahima Maria Sinatra, 33, disregarded the sergeant and fled northbound. The County Constable's Office says the vehicle came to a rest at a parking lot on the 2100 block of North Yarbrough after hitting a median. Sinatra exited the vehicle and fled westbound across Yarbrough on foot. She was apprehended a short time later. The County Constable's Office says a male passenger also fled from the vehicle and was not found. Officials discovered that Sinatra had a federal warrant for harboring undocumented migrants. Sinatra was turned over to U.S. Marshal deputies for booking. Methamphetamine and marijuana were found inside the vehicle, the Constable's Office said. The Constable's Office says drug charges will be added at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Frank Sinatra ‘facilitated' John F Kennedy's other life, but couldn't outrun his mafia connections: The rise and ruin of their unlikely friendship
The month of May marks the 27th death anniversary of the legendary Italian-American crooner Frank Sinatra who passed away on May 14, 1998, due to a heart attack in Los Angeles. Apart from his stellar career as a singer and the fact that his music still finds space in big-budget movies and also your dad's playlist titled 'This Is Real Music', Sinatra had a colourful personal life, to say the least. He had FBI files dedicated to his relationship with the mob, that one character from The Godfather which was 'definitely not based on him', and, of course, his confusing relationship with the former US president John F. Kennedy. Sinatra and Kennedy had very different upbringings; one broke through the proverbial glass ceiling, while for the other that limit did not necessarily exist. Singing in mafia-controlled bars and venues, the 'Fly Me to the Moon' singer made a lot of friends on his way to fame, friends who weren't exactly on the right side of the law and helped Fontane, scratch that, Sinatra break through contracts, land roles and flourish in a whirlwind of an industry. After Sinatra rose through the fulminations of his beguiling life and stalling career with the film From Here to Eternity (1953), he made friends with an upcoming politician from Massachusetts named Kennedy. It almost feels perverse and impossible when you look at their pictures together from the early years of their association. Two men smiling through cigarette smoke, mixed with an air of nonchalance and greatness, while the world around them tried to chisel their way into the truth behind this relationship. Along with Sinatra, Kennedy was chummy with the entire 'Rat Pack', which consisted of singer Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, along with actors Angie Dickinson and Peter Lawford. ALSO READ: Denzel Washignton and Spike Lee reunite for Highest 2 Lowest, featuring ASAP Rocky and Jeffrey Wright. Watch teaser Sinatra was almost the facilitator of Kennedy's 'other life', as he introduced him to a different world, which was filled with vices in expensive glasses and escape routes dressed as beautiful women. He was allegedly the man who was responsible for Kennedy's association with Marilyn Monroe, and he did it presumably during the time when the actor was renting the guest house of Sinatra's home in Los Angeles. Apart from the booze and the philandering, Sinatra incorporated himself into the politician's professional front as well; he fully supported him in his campaign for presidency, writing songs, raising funds and even convincing mob bosses to influence the vote of the workers' union. Everyone was aware that the union voted as one unit, and them going over to Kennedy's side would go a long way in his battle against Richard Nixon. Sinatra seemed to cut a deal with the Chicago boss, Sam 'Mooney' Giancana, who probably helped with the union in the hopes that the Kennedy administration would take things easy on them. As Kennedy emerged victorious over Nixon, Sinatra grew in confidence just by association. He had always been boastful about his connections, and in Kennedy he saw legitimacy, invincibility. But Sinatra's dreams of being in cahoots with the highest office in the country were soon shattered as John's brother Robert F Kennedy (also known as Bobby) took over the office of Attorney General and began his onslaught on organised crime. Amidst all this, Sinatra offered to host John during his visit to Los Angeles, but now with Kennedy's new office and credentials, some arrangements had to be made. The singer got in touch with the Secret Service and made several modifications to his infamous house, including adding a helicopter pad. But just like a Bollywood wedding gone wrong, Kennedy's first visit back would be the last verse in the glorious and controversial friendship. While the president was in transit to Los Angeles, Kennedy was informed by his brother that the FBI had just released documents regarding Sinatra's ties with the mob, and the evidence in those files was damning enough for the Attorney General. More than that, the then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover was perched up on Kennedy's head and had more files on their parties than Sinatra's entire discography. Ultimately the trip was cancelled, and Kennedy chose to go to singer Bing Crosby's estate instead. An enraged Sinatra felt betrayed and ransacked his newly refurbished home. His hopes of outrunning his mafia connections and changing the people's perception about him went down the drain as the citizens of America seemed to forget everything their Roman Catholic golden boy did before entering the White House on a rather questionable steed. The close friends did not maintain any contact with each other, and just a year later, Kennedy was assassinated. Their rise to the top was meteoric, and the duo lived like rockstars before it was even a thing, including every single mistake the upcoming generation of rockstars would make. Intoxicated dreams, dilapidated morals and fractured relationships – maybe Sinatra got back exactly what he sold at those lavish parties at his house. Even though we will never know the extent of what all transpired between the two personalities, it can be argued that both of them were never actually friends. It was a relationship built on favours and promises, and one decided to step off before the other could cash in, and that, people, was the straw that broke the singing camel's back.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Tony Hadley thinks Sam Fender has key Frank Sinatra quality
Tony Hadley has compared Sam Fender to Frank Sinatra and Boy George. The former Spandau Ballet frontman is a huge fan of the 'Seventeen Going Under' hitmaker, and insisted like many iconic singers, his "voice is instantly recognisable". Asked which current artists could have Spandau's longevity, he told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "I'm always thinking about voices. "Whether it's Sinatra or Boy George - when you put their records on, you know exactly who it is, It's about character. "Sam Fender's voice is instantly recognisable. I love his music and the [Bruce] Springsteen influences." Tony - who discovered Sam while presenting BBC Music Introducing on BBC Three Counties - also had some praised for rising star Piers Nolan. He added: "I'm championing an artist called Piers Nolan. Instantly recognisable, incredible range and a great songwriter. "We've got an album. The thing is what do you do with new artists now? "Forget TikTok and all that rubbish - Piers needs to tour like Sam did." Tony is returning later this year with a 2025 Big Band Tour, and he has recalled actually getting to meet Sinatra himself during his teenage years. He said: "I met Sinatra when I was 17 at the Royal Albert Hall and he was really sweet. Years later, when I was doing my first solo album, I thought it would be great to get him in the video. "I phoned his office and left a message saying, 'Hi, this is Tony Hadley. You probably won't know who I am.' "'I'm the guy who sang True and I met Frank when I was 17. I'm gonna make a video and I'd love it if he could be in it.'" The 64-year-old star revealed Sinatra's team phoned back to apologise that the timings wouldn't work because the 'My Way' crooner was heading on tour. Tony added: "I could have swung from a chandelier - Frank Sinatra's office phoned Big Tone!"
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
With ‘Hacks' and ‘Paradise,' Julianne Nicholson's snowball of a career keeps picking up speed
'I know. Honestly, I feel like with every show I've ever done, people are like: 'Is this the one?' the Medford native, 53, tells me in our recent Zoom. 'It's one of the ones.' Nicolson's career is a snowball, not a ladder. It's been rolling since the late '90s, just eating up ground. There's no telling how far she'll go — 2025, though (she's already got four projects out, including a foray into comedy) is something of an avalanche moment. She sunk her teeth into complex villain Sinatra on Hulu's brilliant ' Then last week, she pivoted 180 degrees to Advertisement This year also sees her in BBC One's ' I Zoomed with the Emmy winner from her home in the Hampshire, England, countryside. Outside a window, in the fields beyond, sheep grazed. We talked growing up off-grid in Western Mass., Jean Smart, 'Paradise,' 'The White Lotus,' getting silly, and more. Julianne Nicholson (left) with Jean Smart on "Hacks." JAKE GILES NETTER Q. So what drew you to 'Hacks'? Advertisement A. I think it's so smart. I love the intergenerational play between the legend-goddess that is Jean Smart and the incredibly talented Hannah [Einbinder]. All the characters on the show are just so funny. I think [creators & showrunners] Lucia [Aniello], Paul [W. Downs], and Jen [Statsky] are geniuses. Everyone feels like they're on the best show on TV, so there's this pervasive joy on set, which lends itself to people being fine with being silly or making a fool of themselves because you can't make a fool of yourself on that show — there's too much love. And I love their willingness to take risks and speak to themes of the day with such grace and humor. Q. What in particular did you like about Dance Mom? A. Dance Mom is so unlike anything I've ever played. It's so fun to go out there and shake my money-maker [laughs]. It was fun to be silly. The opposite of Sinatra. I'm very rarely invited to do anything funny. Q. What was it like to get into comedy here? A. It's such a relief. A lot of my scenes are with Q. Right, she A. I mean, it's a great show. [But] you read stories about people losing their minds over the course of seven months [away from home]. I can't go to Thailand for seven months. Advertisement Maybe in a couple of years when my kids are in college. Then I'd love to. Q. I have to ask about 'Paradise.' Season 2 has already started filming. We've never seen you in such a meaty, complex role. What attracted you to Sinatra? A. I love Dan [Fogelman's] writing. He just knows what people want to watch. His character work is detailed and moving. When you've been acting for 30 years, if you can still find characters so completely different than anything else you've played, it's such a joy. I loved the idea of playing the baddie who's not simply a baddie — she's got issues. Life has dealt her this hand, and it's informed every step of her way. Q. You were in A24's ' A. Right, most of my family are in the Medford area. My dad's the oldest of seven. My mom's the oldest of 10. My dad grew up in Medford. My mom grew up in Bev- ah-lee. You can't say Beverly. Q. [laughs] True. A. That's basically where I spent my younger childhood. Then my parents broke up, my mom moved to Western Mass. with my stepfather. We lived in Montague. Q. Your mom was an herbalist. A. She's still an herbalist. She started in the 1970s, when people were like 'Echinacea — what? Who?' We were guinea pigs. And now, of course, it's everywhere. I lived there from age 7 to 11. I'd visit my dad during holidays and summers. Then at 11, I moved back to Medford, and would go to Western Mass. every other weekend. Advertisement Q. In Western Mass., you lived in a cabin with an outhouse, no electricity. What was that like? A. We were off the grid. It was a very simple life, but it became our norm. I remember having friends for a sleepover, they'd be like, 'Where's the light?' 'Oh, we have kerosene lanterns.' ' What? ' I'm sure it took a minute to get used to, but I don't remember that part — I remember it with fondness. Q. You were a camp counselor in Goshen as a teenager. A. Q. What did you feel when you pulled over? A. Just life. The bittersweetness of life, and time moving on, and people who mean so much to you at one time, but they don't really come into your mind. Just the heartbreak and joy of life. Just that. [laughs] Q. Did you always want to be an actor? A. I did. I thought, 'OK, it's not gonna happen in Boston. I'm gonna go to New York.' Because I loved the movie 'Tootsie,' I thought: 'In New York, it's all gonna come together for me!' [laughs] Advertisement I took acting classes, worked in restaurants, modeled. I took classes at Hunter College. Then, gradually, gradually, I got roles — little independent movies. I'd waitress between gigs. Q. There are all these articles that proclaim you've arrived. When did you feel you made it as an actor? A. That's been an evolving feeling. Highs and lows, for sure. I guess when I quit waitressing at age 28. It's been a series of thinking something's gonna be the one, and now I realize it's one foot in front of the other. Just keep going and try to [take roles] I can be proud of, things I feel happy to be putting out into the world, provide for my family. It's not a flashy thing. Q. We've seen you in so many dramas — would you do more comedy after 'Hacks'? A. I hope so. I hope this makes people go, ' Oh , OK. She's not just tearing her heart out.' Interview was edited and condensed. Lauren Daley can be reached at
