TUNE IN: Frank Sinatra is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

By Umer Nangiana

It is time to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the craftsman of some of the most popular songs, the legendary Frank Sinatra. British singing sensation, Matthew vanKan along with special guests such as the remarkable jazz singer, Nicola Emmanuelle, are all set to honour Sinatra and his songs with an extraordinary Sinatra Centenary concert, to be held at Grand Hyatt on 18th of this month.
Frank Sinatra, 1915-1998, an American jazz and traditional pop singer, actor, and producer, was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150mn records worldwide.
Born in Hoboken, New Jersey to Italian immigrants, he began his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after being signed by Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the ‘bobby soxers.’ He released his first album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946.
Sinatra’s professional career had stalled by the early 1950s, and he turned to Las Vegas, where he became one of its best known performers as part of the Rat Pack. His career was reborn in 1953 with the success of From Here to Eternity and his subsequent Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor win.
Sinatra forged a highly successful career as a film actor as well. After winning an Academy Award for From Here to Eternity, he starred in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and received critical acclaim for his performance in The Manchurian Candidate (1962).
He appeared in various musicals such as On the Town (1949), Guys and Dolls (1955), High Society (1956), and Pal Joey (1957), and towards the end of his career he became associated with playing detectives, including the title character in Tony Rome (1967).
Coming from Brighton, UK, Matthew vanKan sings the songs of Sinatra, Nat King Cole and such like, a catalogue of tunes that have now come to define him as a singer honouring the music of entertaining legends.
Matthew quit his desk job of 15 years to pursue a career in music. Accompanied by musical director and pianist Gabriel Mantell, exciting new talent Nick Ereaut on double bass, Gospel drummer Rueben Harsant and Bombay Bicycle Club regular Dan Berry on tenor sax the VANKAN Band performed for the first time together on New Year’s Eve 2013 to a 600 strong audience ‘Under The Stars’ in Doha, Qatar at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
They returned to London in January for their sold out debut show ‘Swinging Sunday’ at Pizza Express on Dean Street, entertained guests at HRH The Earl of Wessex’s 50th Birthday party in the company of The Queen of England and now have monthly residencies in London at The Savoy, Rosewood Holborn and Century Club on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Combined with Mantell’s eclectic fusion of gospel, neo soul, funk and jazz their slick and classy delivery of timeless songs, with emphasis on storytelling, subtle vocal nuances and beautiful phrasing, is now in high demand.
The talents of the jazz singer Nicola Emmanuelle have been obvious for some time to the many artists, producers and musical directors who have been using her crystalline voice for studio albums, film and television work.
Working in the studio, writing new original material with a number of co-writers, and performing live around London with her band, Nicola has a sensational set of songs evoking the work and sound of the original jazz pioneers of the 30s to 50s era.
Coming from a South African jazz dynasty, London-born Nicola attended the Cleo Laine school of music followed by the Bourne school of music and Goldsmiths foundation, then enjoyed a Classical training by Elizabeth Anderson Kramer.
Despite her enormous versatility and numerous genre changes for various projects, including classical, pop and dance, Nicola retains the deep desire to follow in the classic jazz styles she grew up with and has always loved.
Her understanding of the feel and swing of the best of the past, and her own contemporary style and individuality adds to and supports a voice of mesmerising purity and beauty. Comfortable in all types of live situations, Nicola makes a speciality of singing accapella and is capable of incredible scat solos when the mood takes her.
She can touch an audience with a torch song, before drawing them back to laughter with her endearing and graceful humour. Nicola has a way of sticking the audience to the spot, and always wanting more.