Vocalist Frank Lamphere

Now That’s Amore – Jazz Crooner Frank Lamphere’s new CD

March 27, 2023 – Retro jazz crooner & songwriter Frank Lamphere is set to release his fourth CD “Now That’s Amore”. Recorded with his frequent collaborators, luminaries of the Chicago jazz scene, "Now THAT'S Amore" contains fourteen songs, of which four are originals. Of these originals, both Do You Like What You See?  and I’d Like to Come Back to You are bluesy, pop-rock songs ala 1967 (Vietnam era) that feature Hammond B3 organ accompaniment. Think Happy is a swinger, with a message inspired by the brilliant national radio talk show host Dennis Prager, about thinking positively. Frank revives his previously released baseball song, this time saluting the 2021 World Series winners as The Braves Go All the Way.

Of the covers, Dean Martin's, That’s Amore receives a makeover becoming a jazz waltz, but with plenty of Italian flavorings. The album's opening track Love Theme From the Godfather (Speak Softly) as opposed to a romantic ballad is now a full-fledged hard swinger. It too is full of Italian instrumentation that is quite comfortable in this jazz setting. Lamphere takes it first in English and then an alternate take (with vibes) sung in Italian. Two Henry Mancini tunes: the very up-tempo Charade and the seldom heard ballad Slow Hot Wind are found back-to-back on the album. The Irving Berlin God Bless America, receives a danceable 4/4 rendering. Completing the session are: Bacharach’s The Look of Love, a potent Buddy Greco "flavored" Around the World and the 1934 standard For All We Know. All of these tracks feature memorable solos from Lamphere's musical associates. This album was recorded over two primary sessions in 2020 and 2021.

Frank Lamphere has been a professional singer in the specialized genre nowadays known as traditional pop and straight-ahead jazz. Lamphere has been honing his swinging style for 25 years. A style which has borrowed from the titans of popular music prior to 1970: Ol’ Blue Eyes, Dino, Jack Jones, Buddy Greco, Tony Bennett and a few others.

Frank's musical journey began at a young age, singing along to the records he played, 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, 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 1997 Frank had the good fortune to work semi-regularly with the popular Chicago pianist Johnny Gabor, whose band included star drummer Rusty Jones. Lamphere's energy and repertoire were a great match for Gabor's elegant piano stylings and dance rhythms. Shortly after, he began successfully 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 achieves 30 years in business in Autumn 2022.   

Frank's first release was a thirteen-track tribute to lyricist Sammy Cahn in 2002. The album “Ain’t Love a Kick” attracted positive national attention. Concentrating on his live performances and a new family, it was ten years until Frank completed his next project, a five song EP of original songs entitled "Frank Swings". In January 2021 “America the Beautiful, Swinging” a seven-song disc was sprung on a covid weary world. This one featured his original Las Vegas, recorded with nine horns.

Career highlights include singing for radio and television commercials, headlining numerous Rat Pack themed shows across the Midwest, corporate gigs from Las Vegas to New York, and jazz clubs in 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" when “The Music Needs to be Right”. He has more album projects coming soon, including a jazzy Frank Sinatra tribute and a full album of songs that were part of the Dean Martin catalogue. Lamphere is married and has two children