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Frank Lamphere

Retro jazz crooner & occasional songwriter Frank Lamphere is set to release his fourth CD “Now, That’s Amore!”. The album contains fourteen songs, four of which are originals. Of these originals, Do You Like What You See? is an energetic bluesy pop ala 1967 as is I’d Like to Come Back to You, a song with lyrics about the Vietnam war. Both songs feature jazz organ accompaniment, adding to their authentic to the period sound. Think Happy, inspired by national talk show radio host Dennis Prager, is a heavy swinger thats message speaks of thinking positively. Frank does another take on his original baseball song, now with a new home team The Braves Go All the Way. Of the remaining covers, That’s Amore, originally from the 1953 Martin and Lewis movie “The Caddy” received a makeover and was made into a jazz waltz, but still with plenty of Italian flavorings. Frank's unique rendition of  Speak Softly, Love (The Godfather Theme) now a full-bodied swinger, should turn some heads. Two Henry Mancini tunes: the very up-tempo Charade and the Latin flavored, vibe-tinged Slow Hot Wind found a place on the album. Another patriotic American song, found it's way onto a Lamphere album God Bless America, now a swinger. Surprise! Bacharach’s 1967 Look of Love, a huge Buddy Greco nod in Around the World and the 1934 ballad For All We Know round out the album. This album was recorded over two sessions in March 2020 and February 2021.

Frank Lamphere has been a professional singer in the specialized genres often referred to as traditional pop and straight-ahead jazz. Lamphere has been honing his swinging style for 25 years. A style which was undoubtedly learned or more like "absorbed" from the titans of popular music prior to 1970: Ol’ Blue Eyes, Dino, Jack Jones, Buddy Greco, Tony Bennett, Elvis and others.

Frank's musical journey began at a young age, singing along to the records he played, on his "record player". He always had an ear for music recorded "before his time" a trait inherited from his dad. While in his late-teens and early 20s opportunities to sit-in with local bar bands and mini sets with a wedding band were a great introduction to performing in front of a live audience. Later, jazz took on a profound role in his musical direction when he "found" pianist Billy Pierce and also began frequenting several jazz jam sessions. In 1998 good fortune fell upon Lamphere as he was offered steady club work with the popular Johnny Gabor Trio. Shortly after, he began taking on his own gigs, not only in the Chicago area, but all over the country. Over the years, Lamphere has retained a day-job. Deck contractor and owner of A-Affordable Decks, which attained 30 years in business in Autumn 2022.   

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Album Review

Frank Lamphere: Ain't Love a Kick: The Unforgettable Songs of Sammy Cahn

Read "Ain't Love a Kick: The Unforgettable Songs of Sammy Cahn" reviewed by Dave Nathan


One of the most prolific and successful lyric writers in the history of American popular song was Sammy Cahn. His career, like Gaul, can be divided into two parts. The first was that eminently thriving collaboration with Jule Styne which produced one hit after another including "Time After Time", "The Things We Did Last Summer" and "I've Heard That Song Before". The second major partnership by the New York lyricist was with the inestimable Jimmy Van Heusen. This merger was ...

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TV / Film

Crooner Frank Lamphere’s Original Songs to Be Featured in Movie

Crooner Frank Lamphere’s Original Songs to Be Featured in Movie

Source: Frank Lamphere

CHICAGO, IL—Just eight days after being digitally released, two songs on the new EP, Frank Swings, jazz retro-pop crooner Frank Lamphere's (LAM-fear) first release of original music, have been licensed for inclusion in an independent film. The New York-based film production company A May Sky Picture Entertainment discovered Lamphere's recording of the swinging “I Never Forgot" online and found it the ideal fit for a memorable scene in their film Teresa is a Mother. The jazz-flavored “Be Happy" will also ...

"His voice, now more than ever before, is a wonderful blend of masculine strength and smooth, rounded edges" "The fledgling composer succeeds with five originals with catchy lyrics, good production value, and top notch playing by some of Chicago’s finest musicians" "Unlike singers like Michael Buble who initially succeed in one genre but cross over into more popular styles, Frank demonstrates respect for the style he loves. Without being a generic impersonator, Lamphere derives inspiration from the usual suspects, Sinatra and Dean Martin. But I didn’t find myself comparing him to either"

Buddy Greco
vocals
Jack Jones
vocals
Henry Mancini
composer / conductor
Dean Martin
vocals

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Now, THAT'S Amore!

Late Nite Records
2023

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America the Beautiful...

Late Nite Records
2020

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Frank Swings

Self Produced
2012

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Ain't Love a Kick:...

Late Nite Records
2002

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