Frank Sinatra would have been 95 years old this past December, and yet the songs he sang are as fresh and appealing today as they were during his reign on radio, recordings and the silver screen. The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, conducted by artistic director Jim Carroll, is joined by vocalist Steve Lippia for “Simply Sinatra,” a celebration of the man and his musical contributions to popular culture. The concert at George Mason University’s Hylton Performing Arts Center features all-star instrumentalists of the greater Washington area and the foremost interpreter of the Sinatra catalog.
| ONSTAGE |
| ‘Simply Sinatra’ |
| » Where: Merchant Hall, Hylton Performing Arts Center |
| » When: 8 p.m. Saturday |
| » Info: $24 to $40 at 888-945-2468 or hyltoncenter.org |
Carroll, the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University, has a rich professional background that includes performances with such major artists as Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Maynard Ferguson, Keter Betts and Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd.
“The members of this band are the top musicians throughout the area,” he said. “They represent jazz ensembles, the U.S. military bands, music departments in major universities and every possible spoke in the field of music. They enjoy coming together to help move forward this aspect of American culture.
“The first part of the show is devoted to the big band numbers featuring some of our top soloists. One is Steve Fidyk, an amazing drummer with the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble who tours with Maureen McGovern and performs with many artists and ensembles.”
Steve Lippia and the Frank Sinatra repertoire are the centerpiece of the second portion of the evening. The selections are chosen from Lippia’s signature show, performed with symphony orchestras and at jazz festivals throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The music by Sinatra’s own arranger provides the initial authenticity. The tone and texture of Lippia’s voice complete the picture with the telltale phrasing and nuances.
“Like many kids, I grew up in Connecticut standing before a mirror with a hairbrush listening to and singing along with Sinatra and the great pops orchestras,” he said. “[Sinatra] continues to merit attention because of the breadth and depth of his life and his unique style, personality and interpretive skills.”
Lippia loved music and sang regularly in choruses and church choirs, but after leaving his favorite high school job as a roadie for the Bobby Kaye Big Band, he went to college and law school, eventually becoming a stock broker and businessman. Years later, he moved to Florida and began singing with a local band as a hobby. It took only one performance with a symphony backed by the Woody Herman Orchestra for two canny show business veterans to “discover” him and turn him into a star.
“This show matters because Sinatra matters,” he said. “During the year, I do from 80 to 100 shows, so I like to mix up the music every time by singing some of his more popular numbers along with an obscure Side B. People welcome hearing something they haven’t heard for a long time. Best of all, there’s nothing like listening to a live big band and discovering the power of lyrics and a beautiful tune.”
