DC -- Natl Museum of American History -- Exhibit: Frank Sinatra at 100:
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- Description of Pictures: Frank Sinatra at 100
November 20, 2015 – March 2016
The National Museum of American History marks the centennial of one of the giants of the entertainment world, Frank Sinatra (1915-98), with a display focused on his popular music, jazz, and motion picture career. This display showcases Sinatra’s contributions to America’s songbook and film history through photographic portraits by Herman Leonard and archival photos from Director George Sidney’ s collection, sheet music, album covers, and posters. The key artifacts illustrating Sinatra’s career include the trench coat worn by him in the 1957 movie Pal Joey and bow ties made by his first wife, Nancy, to throw to fans at concerts. A boom microphone of the type used by Sinatra helps visitors understand how he combined the “crooner” techniques of the band singer with the improvisational approach of the jazz musician, to produce a unique sound which took him to the top of the charts and inspired and informed generations of singers.
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- Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
- SIAHFS_151203_09.JPG: Sinatra as Singer:
After beginning his career as a singer with the big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra embarked on a career as a solo act in 1943. He signed with Capitol Records in 1953, which teamed him with gifted arrangers such as Nelson Riddle and Billy May.
With his new kind of natural phrasing, rich baritone, jazzy inflections, intimacy, and depth of feeling, Sinatra created his own style of singing. Not one to improvise, his singing nonetheless was influenced by -- and in turn was much admired by -- jazz musicians.
By the 1950s, Sinatra had become the quintessential American pop singer through his gift for conveying lyrics and his ability to take a 32-bar song and transform it into a virtual three-act play.
One of the most accomplished and influential singers, Frank Sinatra's works can be considered America's finest body of recorded songs.
- SIAHFS_151203_11.JPG: Bow tie, around 1942
Frank Sinatra's first wife, Nancy, made bow ties such as this for him to throw from the stage to eager female fans.
- SIAHFS_151203_18.JPG: Frank Sinatra:
The Smithsonian is celebrating the centennial of Francis Albert Sinatra (1915-1998), a leading 20th century entertainer known for his convincing, deeply personal style of singing and acting. As a singer he artfully blended the "crooner" techniques of the band singer with the phrasing and swing of a jazz master. He produced a unique sound, one which has captivated generations of listeners and inspired generations of singers. Likewise, he film acting accomplishments created vivid and enduring moments on the screen. In both, he conveyed a wide range of convincing emotions.
Transcending his era, his singing and acting have created an enduring legacy. "For a time, for a very long time," observed critic Gene Lees, "Frank Sinatra turned the singing of the American song into an art form, and his collected output must be considered a national treasure."
December 12, 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.
- SIAHFS_151203_24.JPG: Trench coat, 1957
Worn by Frank Sinatra in the film Pal Joey
- SIAHFS_151203_30.JPG: Sinatra as Actor:
Sinatra acted in several dozen movies; hey were of two types: musical comedies and serious dramas. His movie acting career took off in 1945, when he appeared with dancer Gene Kelly in the musical Anchors Aweigh. His other musical comedies -- On the Town, Guys and Dolls, High Society, and Pal Joey -- remain screen classics.
Of his serious dramas, his performances as a drug addict in The Man with the Golden Arm and as a brainwashed soldier in The Manchurian Candidate brought him critical acclaim. A memorable dramatic role in From Here to Eternity won him an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1954. A ten-minute movie he performed in called The House I Live In, made in 1945 to oppose anti-Semitism and racial prejudice, earned an Honorary Academy Award.
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