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Community Corner

7th Annual Sinatra Tribute Gala - A Holiday Spectacular

A production of Jazz Arts Project, the Annual Sinatra Tribute Gala (formerly known as the Sinatra Birthday Bash) takes place each year on or around Frank Sinatra’s birthday as a tribute performance to “Old Blue Eyes.” The finest available saloon singers, crooners and chanteuses all selected by audition specifically for this performance, take the Count Basie Theatre stage backed by the all-professional 18-piece Red Bank Jazz Orchestra. The event is a musical celebration of the life and artistry of the one and only Frank Sinatra.

Under the musical direction of Joe Muccioli, who Jazzwise Magazine says works with “a maximum of authenticity,” the cast sings the great songs of the American Songbook, the tunes associated with Sinatra during his long career. The Sinatra Birthday Bash is not a costume and wig show, but a sincere, respectful tribute in music and song to one of New Jersey’s favorite and most famous sons, performed by the finest singers working in Jersey today.

Since the show's debut, hundreds of singers have submitted their resumes and samples of their vocal work to the Count Basie Theatre for consideration. One year even an Army Major (Rory Aylward) emailed his audition materials all the way from Afghanistan where he was stationed at the time. Following an evaluation process, winners are selected to participate in this special performance. The cast represents a wide range of experience and styles from young singers just starting out through amateur, semi-pro and professional performers of all ages.

This show is a perennial favorite that fills the house with die hard Sinatra fans who appreciate authentic, top notch live entertainment from a very talented cast and a world-class jazz orchestra in the true tradition of the Count Basie / Frank Sinatra collaborations of years past. This year the event will celebrate the season with holiday favorites as well as classics from the Sinatra songbook. Merry Christmas Frank Sinatra! Also this year the Red Bank Regional High School Choir, under the direction of Kristopher Zook, will appear backing up the cast as well as their own feature songs.

To purchase tickets: http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43248630

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