On December 12, 2015, it will be the 100th birthday of one of the most iconic, enigmatic, and
popular vocalists to have ever lived, the late great Frank Sinatra. He conquered
the worlds of music and film, and has left behind a body of work that was the
epitome of collected cool and class.
This past Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of listening to the
beautiful and talented lovely voice of Francine
Hailman. This chanteuse is a Toronto
Jazz Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist and performed a tribute to Frank
Sinatra concert for a packed audience on June 28th 2015. Francine paired up with her tasteful and
complimentary accompanist, pianist Rick Maltese, and the firm yet steady
bassist Abbey Sholzberg, celebrating Frank’s life and timeless music in their
own interpretive, sweet way. There
were happy and melancholy moments, yet both moods capture the sheer complexity
and range of emotions that defined Sinatra and his personality, which Francine
performed with her musicians.
To start, the trio opened with a spirited take on “Fly Me To The
Moon”, with a soaring, beautiful vocal by Francine Hailman and spirited soloing
by the pianist and bassist. Things got hot
& steamy through Francine’s stunning performance of “Body and Soul”, which
was well assured, full of emotion, and echoes a longing soul in search of love.
A highlight of the concert was the less performed and obscure jazz
standard Sinatra recorded, “Prisoner of Love” on the 1962 “Sinatra and Strings”
album. Francine treated the song as a show
stopping performance only a diva could achieve, and the arrangement was
majestic and full of romantic optimism.
Francine’s Sinatra concert had something for everyone, whether it is
toe-tapping swing, groovy bossa nova, or ballads to cuddle with your
lover. She covered a symphony of well
known Sinatra songs and took us down memory lane including “All or Nothing At
All”, which was the title of the recent HBO documentary made of Frank’s life,
“New York New York”, “That’s Life”, and ending with Francine’s dynamic rendition of “My Way”.
The receptive audience was drawn in on Francine’s soothing,
expressive song delivery which also included delightful background stories
highlighting some of the tunes.
This songstress is becoming a dynamic force in the Toronto vocal
jazz scene, and after coming from a near death experience and some positive
health changes, she is really living life to the fullest by doing what she does
best.
Definitely catch Francine Hailman whenever you can when she performs
as she certainly delivers an honest and passionate performance.
OFFICIAL FRANCINE HAILMAN WEB SITE
FRANCINE HAILMAN’S YOUTUBE
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