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To Be Just Frank
Sinatra comes alive at Franklin Lakes
crooner Jason Nazzaro, in the now jazz band .

When listeners close their eyes, it might be 1966 at The Sands, the famed Vegas Strip hotel where Ol’ Blue Eyes left an indelible mark, rather than one of the many venues around northern New Jersey where Jason Nazzaro channels his idol.

The Chairman of the Board lived two years longer than the venerable Sands, which was demolished in 1996. But, The Voice lives on and on, not only in recordings and a songbook borrowed by countless musicians in many different genres. Sinatra’s own defying imitation; matchless style is preserved to a “T” with the faithful interpretation of his classics by crooners like Nazzaro.

Jason thanks Columbia House records, in particular a Sinatra CD his sister gave him as a child, for sparking his lifelong passion for vocal performance, and for The Chairman’s oeuvre. Though he had no formal training – another trait he shares with Sinatra – Jason was a natural at emulating the singer’s defining characteristic: his breathing technique and phrasing. He’ll disect a song for a month, listening and crooning along. “If I couldn’t hold my breath as long as [he], I was doing something wrong,” he says. “I would try over and over again until I got it. I’m acquiring knowledge from the master.”

Though he has a day job running his eponymous financial planning firm, Nazzaro calls the joy he derives from his avocation, Frank Sinatra Singer, incomparable to anything else he’s done. “People come to hear Sinatra; I make sure to give them Sinatra.” With 250 songs to his memory, he can sing one from request to a moments notice. After all, part of the audience’s “memorable experience,” he adds, is being included in the process. “What fun it can be to go to a show just to watch someone preform on stage?”

One More for the Road

Nazzaro wants to always leave ’em smiling. The best admiration he has ever received? From a woman of a certain age who, he says, “approached me after the show with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Thank you for granting me to relive my youth.” It’s makes for a great day when you’ve made someone happy.

That’s Italian

It could be Sinatra’s Northern Italian roots – his mother, Dolly, hailed from the Genoa area – that inspired Nazzaro’s favorite pick from the menu at frequent haunt Pizzette in Ramsey. “The gnocchi with Bolognese sauce is the out of this world,” he states; owner Antonio Marra, “the nicest guy in the world.” Nazzaro also likes the meatballs at Lotito’s Deli, Ramsey, as well as Savini in Allendale, for its “incredible veal chop.”

Grounds for Greatness

Nazzaro ventures to Hoboken, Ol’ Blue Eyes’ hometown, every few weeks to dine at Teak – “great cocktails and food” – and for the anonymity a performer sometimes craves: “No one knows me down there.”

He Does It His Way

Nazzaro is not an impersonator, preferring to focus on his talent. But though declining the Rat Pack regalia, he buys his Sinatra-look tuxedo and cuff-links – as well as his own regular wardrobe – from Neiman Marcus, Garden State Plaza, where he heads to once ever so often. His faithful marketing person? Charlie Hallman, who “loves” Nazzaro’s style – “the best! I go to [Sinatra] for everything.”

Always the Entertainer

A passion for making people happy spills over into Nazzaro’s personal life when not christmas frank sinatra /entertainer. He and wife Ivy, who moved to Franklin Lakes after a decade in Ramsey, frequently have friends to dinner, serving good wine from his large collection, and Nazzaro’s home cooking. Son Lorenz, in his terrible two’s, may not partake, but this “total ham” sure loves the atmosphere.

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In buying a used saxophone, the buyer should weigh a number of considerations which emphasize the value of the price or amount paid in addition to the intended use for which the saxophone is purchased.

There are generally four types of saxophones available. The soprano saxophone, which has a higher pictch than the other saxophones, is considered as the most complex instrument and is the most difficult to play.  Therefore, beginners are suggested to steer clear of purchasing a soprano saxophone for practice.  The alto saxophone is suggested as the best practice saxophone for beginners and is more frequently used in school bands.  The third, the tenor saxophone is best suited for jazz tunes as well as some rock music.    The baritone saxophone is the most massive and is very heavy, so who carry the instruments will have to attach some harness to support the instrument while they play.

An individual who is buying a used saxophone should first have in mind the purpose for which the instrument is to be purchased.  If he intends to rehearse and play the instrument as a beginner, then the alto saxophone may be the best option.  It is therefore important to remember that it should not be the case that just because the used saxophone is bought at a bargain price one may already rush in and buy the instrument.  He may have the saxophone at the best price, but it will not do any good if he cannot maximize the use of the instrument because it does not best serve his purpose.  To sum up, it is not a good decision for a beginner to buy a soprano saxophone even if the price is reasonably low.  Hence, being picky about the types of saxophone and in accordance with the use and intention for purchasing the instrument is always a good start in buying a used saxophone.

Second is to consider the cost.  Although used saxophones are going to be less expensive than new ones, an extremely cheap saxophone might suggest the instrument’s poor and/or low condition – though not necessarily.  Nonetheless, used saxophones might also be sold at a price only slightly lower than the price for other brand new saxophones.  This may be due to several factors: the saxophone’s high quality, brand, make and model.  Thus even at that price, the used saxophone may still be worth buying.  This implies that buying a used saxophone also entails a consideration of the brand, make and model of the instrument.

Most importantly, in buying a used saxophone, one must never hesitate to ask questions about the saxophone.  It is advisable to ask as many questions as one can pertain to the “history” of the saxophone such as: how was it used in the past?  How often was it used?  Had it even been repaired?  When was the last time it had been repaired?  How long has it been since it was first purchased?  Questions like these will help a person decide whether or not he is amenable to buying a used saxophone.  One may also inquire why the saxophone is being sold.

Lastly, it is a good idea to play the saxophone first to personally test the sound, the tone, and the quality of the instrument before entering into the deal of buying the instrument.  If one is a beginner and does not yet know the correct things to look for, bringing someone along who knows how to play the instrument would make sense.

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Thinking of buying a saxophone? Here are some saxophone basics that might help you in your search.

Saxophones were invented in the 1840s. They were invented by Adolphe Sax in Belgium. You won’t usually find saxophones used in typical or classic music but they have become very popular for use in popular music. They have a particularly unique sound, and their versatility means that they can be used in a variety of different songs to convey a host of different emotions. The saxophone makes a sound that is very close to the sound of the human voice, which is another reason why they produce such an emotionally charged sound.

Nowadays you will find that cheaper saxophones are extremely economically priced allowing the average person to purchase and learn to play them. Obviously, the absolute best top models are not cheap, but as with everything they are also budget models and cheap imports available for the person without as much money to spend.  Usually, saxophones are made from brass and are also coated with lacquer (clear or colored) despite being it in the woodwind category. As well as making them look great, the lacquer also protects the metal and help to prolong the life of the instrument.  Usually, they are made from a 30% zinc and 70% copper mix which results in a substance called yellow brass.  You can also find other types which are made from gold brass and silver brass.  You will even find gold and silver plated saxophones but of course, these are not cheap.

The standard type of saxophones are either baritone, tenor, alto and soprano. Other more unusual types are the mezzo soprano, bass, conn-o-sax, contrabass, f baritone, c soprano, sopranino and quite a few more as well.  The different types of saxophone are all rather different to play and many saxophone players find that even though they they have mastered the one type, it doesn’t mean that they will necessarily find the others easy to play.

There are many places where you can purchase a saxophone online, but as with any expensive item be sure to do your due diligence on the seller first in order to avoid being ripped off.

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Jazz is the medium through which improvisation is king. Most all instrumentalists know a common set of songs called standards. These standards are know by all and can be called on at any time in a concert . A jazz improvisation is often based on a standard that everyone knows. It is important to know the standards as you can see if you expect to be a player . Only after you know the song and its chordal pattern can you be an effective player . This is where learning to read music can be so important.

Most often the group will play the main melody of the song prior to a instrumentalist performing. Awaiting your cue to begin your jazz solo, you are well advised to know how long the first section will be. You will receive a nod by the leader of the band to begin your solo when it is your time in any case. If there is a solo singer, your part will come after theirs.

A great jazz improvisation will come with experience and study. Your solo should follow, sometimes loosely, the chord structure of the song. The hours you have spent learning scales will not go to waste here. If you learn your scales in all keys and practicing going from one to another, you will be on your way to knowing what a jazz improvisation solo should sound like. Try playing arpeggios if you are having a hard time making up a solo, this may help get you going.  Combining scales willy-nilly is not all a solo should be however. A good jazz solo should have something interesting to say, not just blah, blah, blah of endless scales. A good jazz solo cannot by definition be planned exactly, but can you can know roughly where you are going.

Most jazz improvisations start with at least a general understanding and statement of the melody. A simple start allows for a greater latitude in expression as you move through the solo. You can then increase the tempo, dynamics and tension before resolving to the original melody at the end of your solo. If you examine some of your favorite solos, you will see that more often than not they follow this general structure .

You can learn from other players as you build your skills. Listen to recordings and go to concerts. After some study and training you will understand the makings of a good jazz improvisation without having to think about it.

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