Young voice salutes old songs

Bryan Anthony hopes to make people smile with his take on Frank Sinatra classics. Photo / File

One record was all it took to get a young Bryan Anthony hooked on Frank Sinatra, fast forward a few years, and he's putting his own spin on the crooners' classics.

The singer has been performing with big bands for many years, and first joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on stage in 2006, before taking a more permanent position about two years ago.

"It's amazing singing with bands who have seen the likes of Frank Sinatra come through their ranks," Anthony says. "What makes this music relevant is that it transcends all generations -- the emotions are still relevant."

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra was established in the 1940s, and is currently touring New Zealand for the first time with a special tribute to Benny Goodman, Harry James, Artie Shaw and of course romantic hits from the Sinatra songbook.

Featuring 25 musicians, singers and dancers the concert will take audiences on a journey down memory lane, with original arrangements of Dorsey hits such as the Grammy Award-winning I'll Never Smile Again and I'm Getting Sentimental Over You.

"It's not for grey-haired people, it's for college kids, high school kids, it's not old people's music, it's a genre that gets pushed along, like classical -- you don't have to be 250-years-old to like Mozart."

It was at high school that Anthony himself discovered a passion for Sinatra, which will stay with him for a lifetime.

Taking inspiration from his idol, the talented singer has forged a career, by putting his own unique spin on the music.

"It felt like he was singing straight to you, I latched onto that. Over the years I have tried to develop my voice, it's almost like acting up there, it's important to sell it but still need to have your own voice."

While Anthony didn't always agree with the way other artists arranged old classics, he felt it was important that they continued to be put in front of new audiences.

"I will listen to the likes of Michael Buble or Rod Stewart, these recordings play an important role in keeping the music alive, in that sense they serve a purpose.

"If you like Rod Stewart, you are going to go out and buy his American Songbook album."

Touring with the Orchestra meant Anthony had been able to see and experiences new places -- this visit to New Zealand was his first, Downunder.

He had heard Hawke's Bay was a wine-growing region and was keen to get out and experience it.

"I like local food and local brews, local culture so I will find a local restaurant which serves fresh food and I know savignon blanc is very big there, so I'm going to try some of that."

He encouraged people of all ages to get along to the show at Napier Municipal Theatre on Saturday to experience a truly magical performance.

"The first time I saw a big band was at high school and it blew my mind, when they came into town it changed my life in the sense that I knew I wanted to play music with this band."

Catch the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on Saturday from 7.30pm at Napier Municipal Theatre. Tickets are available through Ticketek.