On November 3, 1953, Frank Sinatra began a 15-minute radio program that aired on Tuesday and Friday nights on the NBC Radio Network. Called Perfectly Frank, it featured Sinatra as host, performing live and playing his recordings. He apparently described the format this way: “I can spin the discs or make with the voice as the spirit moves me.”
At this time, Sinatra was experiencing a career revival, spurred by his Best Supporting Actor Oscar in the film, From Here to Eternity. So, the announcer would refer to him as “Maggio”, the character he portrayed in the movie. When he performed live, he was backed by a group called the Sinatra Symphonette, which featured pianist Bill Miller, a clarinet, and a three-piece rhythm section.
At 3 p.m., on Sunday afternoon, October 1, “Perfectly Frank: James Langton and Dan Levinson’s Sinatra Symphonette” will be presented at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre. Levinson (at right in photo above) will be on clarinet and saxophone, and the vocals will be performed by Langton (at left in photo above), supported by a rhythm section of pianist Steve Ash, guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Rob Adkins, and drummer Kevin Dorn.
For tickets, log onto morrismuseum.org or call (973) 971-3706. Face masks are currently optional in the center and house right sections (indicated in blue) and required in the house left section (indicated in red).