HE has been at the forefront of the celebrations to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of the world’s most celebrated crooner.

Now the UK’s top big band singer Matt Ford is bringing the iconic sounds of Frank Sinatra to Hampshire.

And those Ol’ Blue Eyes’ classics will be getting the full orchestral treatment on Wednesday at The Concorde, Eastleigh, with the line up including The James Pearson Quartet, The Tippett Quartet and harpist Hugh Webb.

Special guest and award winning Glaswegian pianist Dave Newton will also play alongside Calum Au (trombone) Howard McGill (saxophone, flute and clarinet) with Matt Skelton (drums) and Jeremy Brown (double bass)

The Intimate Sinatra will be an evening celebrating Sinatra, song and swing.

And it comes at a time when the music world is mourning the sudden passing of Frank Sinatra Junior who died aged 72 while he was on tour.

Matt is best is best known by public for his appearances with the John Wilson Orchestra at the Proms in Albert Hall.

He is widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, appearing with a glittering array of bands and orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the BBC Big Band and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

In 2006 Matt was voted Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist and last year he joined forces with the London Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate what would have been Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday.

Matt was also invited to join the cast of Singing In The Rain for the first ever concert performance of the original film score.

Call 02380613989 or visit theconcordeclub.com