America the Beautiful Swinging – Frank Lamphere’s new CD
January 18, 2021 – Jazz crooner-occasional songwriter Frank Lamphere has released his third CD America the Beautiful, Swinging. The seven full-length songs were recorded with a group of world-class Chicago based jazz musicians and include Lamphere’s original composition Las Vegas and the baseball themed The Cubs Go All the Way. The balance are unique covers of: the patriotic title track America the Beautiful, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Meditation, an unusually funky up tempo and swinging Born Free and two versions of the Bacharach-David This Guy's In Love With You in ¾ time, interpreted in both English and Italian.
Frank Lamphere is a professional singer in the specialized genre often referred to as traditional pop (in the style of: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Jack Jones) and straight-ahead jazz. Vast portions of Lamphere’s performances and repertoire are presented in a "small group-big band" style. Danceable, to-the-point and always utilizing a live band.
Frank's musical journey began at a young age, singing along to the records he collected, on his "record player". 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, as jazz began to take on a greater role in his musical direction, Lamphere "found" pianist Billy Pierce and also became a regular at jazz jam sessions. A lucky break around 1998 earned him steady club work with the popular Johnny Gabor Trio, Shortly after, he formed his own band and took on club and corporate work. Over the years, Lamphere has always has kept a day-job. Deck contractor and owner of A-Affordable Decks, 29 years in business as of 2021.
In 2002 Lamphere released a thirteen-track album "Ain't Love a Kick" a tribute to lyricist Sammy Cahn, attracting national attention. The follow-up studio project was a well-received five song EP of original songs "Frank Swings" in 2012.
Career highlights include: radio and television commercials, headlining numerous shows across the Midwest, gigs from Las Vegas to New York to Milan, Italy. The song I Never Forgot from his CD "Frank Swings" was featured prominently in the award-winning independent film Theresa Is a Mother. Frank continues to be hired across the U.S. to perform his specialty "Rat Pack Jazz" for weddings, fundraisers, music fests, anniversaries and product unveilings including the Frank Sinatra special edition Jack Daniels whiskey. Lamphere is working on his fourth major CD as of this writing.
Frank is married and has two children
