Modern Music

During his years as Frank Sinatra’s band conductor, Vincent Falcone picked up many lessons from the man.

Most of that came from just watching Sinatra go about his business: his insistence on excellence, his consummate professionalism and his disdain for disrespect.

“He taught by example, not by telling you what to do,” Falcone says.

Falcone began as Sinatra’s pianist in 1976, and graduated to conductor in 1978. His stint officially ended in 1982, but he continued to work with Sinatra throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

About the same age as Falcone’s father, Sinatra took the band leader under his wing and included him in a variety of social events. Their relationship, Falcone says, was very much a “father-son” affair.

So like any good son, Falcone has taken up the mantle of continuing Sinatra’s musical legacy. On Saturday, Falcone will lead the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra in renditions of Sinatra’s innumerable timeless standards.

The performance, Falcone says, is based off the original song arrangements handed down to him by Sinatra.

Handling vocal duties will be Las Vegas performer Bob Anderson. Getting the right vocalist, as one might imagine, is crucial to pulling off Sinatra’s classics. Anderson is among a handful of singers whom Falcone has tapped to interpret the Sinatra songbook.

Anderson is a noted impressionist, and Falcone says a segment of the show will give Anderson the chance to mimic some of Sinatra’s friends and contemporaries, from Rat Pack cohorts like Sammy Davis Jr. to Tony Bennett.

But Falcone also is quick to point out that this won’t be a show of impressions. Anderson will tackle Sinatra’s songs in his own voice, with Falcone ensuring that the Philharmonic nails the feel of the arrangements.

Falcone will fly into Abilene on Friday, with rehearsals beginning that evening. He says he’ll carry with him the same high standards that Sinatra brought to his work every day.

“We’re going to have six hours of rehearsal,” Falcone says, “And we’ll need every minute of it.”

Similar Posts:

• ‘Fantastic’ night at the Abilene Civic Center this Saturday
• Abilene Philharmonic, Cirque troupe aim to elevate orchestral music
• Abilene Philharmonic’s anniversary ball to feature Ackers as grand dame
• Ball Family’s TV segment to air Thursday
• Rock of Ages: Garage band concert showcases Abilene’s original rock ‘n’ rollers