Crooner Grant Chilcott has died, age 62

Grant Chilcott and Geeling Ng at Peter Urlich album launch at the Langham Hotel, Auckland, 12 May 2008 Herald on Sunday Photograph by Norrie Montgomery SUN 18may08 -

New Zealand entertainer Grant Chilcott has died, aged 62. The career crooner passed away peacefully in the wee small hours of Monday morning.

A regular fixture of Auckland's cocktail scene, Chilcott added a sparkle of rat pack style glamour to the city with his hip interpretations of the great American songbook.

He hit the live scene in 1985 after forming Wentworth-Brewster & the Neo-Swing Ensemble, a rotating band of the country's top jazz musicians.

He once said, "show business is my life," and was performing regularly around Auckland up until late last year.

Chilcott's relaxed, easy going and confident vocal delivery earned him comparisons to Tony Bennett and Dean Martin.

Throughout his career Chilcott released several albums, including 2003's tribute Sings the Hits of Dean Martin and 2000's easy listening concept album Hungry Man, a swinging celebration of good food and fine wine.

His signature album was 1990's Wentworth Brewster & Co, an effortlessly cool collection that covered songs made famous by singing greats like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole.

Chilcott is survived by his two daughters, Claudia and Charlotte, and brothers Gavin and Jeffery.