RADIO disc jockeys tend to pick old favourites like My Way and New York, New York for their Frank Sinatra playlists.

But there are other classics from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ collection which rarely or never get air play.

At Eastleigh’s Concorde Club the key was unlocked on this musical treasure chest from The Guvnor.

The Intimate Sinatra, fronted by the UK’s top big band singer Matt Ford, was a mouth watering feast for Sinatra aficionados.

As he kicked off a unique night of Sinatra nostalgia Matt said: “These are absolute gems that never get played and never get heard.”

This reinvented musical art of work was given the full orchestral treatment.

Matt and a handpicked ensemble of multi-talented musicians reprised Close To You, Sinatra’s eleventh studio album , accompanied by the Hollywood String Quartet.

The album was recorded over a period of eight months and five different sessions, and was arranged by Nelson Riddle.

Matt was at the forefront of last year’s celebrations to mark what would have been the 100 th birthday of the world’s most celebrated crooner.

And the Stoneham Lane club’s tribute to Sinatra comes just months after the sudden death of Frank Sinatra Junior who died aged 72 when he was touring.

There was a barnstorming intro to the first set with that timeless Sinatra swingalong, I Get A Kick Out Of You, penned by Cole Porter and featured in the Broadway musical Anything Goes.

Then it was time to dust off the cover of the 1957 album, Close to You with the medley including the title track along with PS I Love You, Everything Happens to Me, Blame It On My Youth and Don’t Like Goodbyes.

This unique project to showcase a rarely heard Sinatra recording was masterminded by drummer Matt Skelton.

Trombone player, composer and bandleader Callum Au put together the superb arrangements.

The Tippett String Quartet and the Matt Skelton Quintet provided a masterful and note perfect accompaniment to the honey coated vocal tones of Matt Ford

One of the highlights of the second set was a breathtaking performance from special guest and serial British Jazz award winner, Glaswegian pianist Dave Newtown.

He thrilled the audience as the keys of the Yamaha nearly flew into the air with his special arrangement of a popular Sinatra recording, Luck Be A Lady from the hit musical Guys and Dolls.

The evening was rounded off with the popular 1937 number September In The Rain, particularly remembered for the way master arranger Nelson Riddle used a syncopated opening to mimic the feel of leaves falling.

And The Concorde’s Sinatra ensemble left the stage showered with praise.

Duncan Eaton