Frank Sinatra transformed popular music. Often cited as the
single finest interpreter of American standards, he influenced
generations of vocalists such as Nat King Cole and Carmen McRae
by focusing on phrasing and matching narrative nuance and
emotional naturalism with amazing breathing control. In the
1930s, Sinatra starting bringing back "old" songs by such
masters as Cole Porter while he was still a Big Band singer. He
became a national institution in the '40s, and even though Ray
Charles has praised the flawless technique of this Columbia
period, Sinatra kept evolving. Starting in the '50s he
concentrated on groundbreaking concept albums and a fresh Big
Band sound with master arranger Nelson Riddle. Sinatra explored
every nuance of emotion on these Capitol and Reprise albums and
influenced the work of Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. Beginning
in the '70s, when rock ruled, his voice and output became
erratic but some brilliant work remains. Though Sinatra always
viewed himself as a popular singer, jazz mus