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Chairman of the Board. Old Blue Eyes. The Sultan of Swing. The Voice.
Whatever nickname you choose, Frank Sinatra remains one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. Beyond his unmistakable style and mystique, Sinatra was a musical genius whose flawless one-take studio recordings earned him the affectionate moniker “One Take Charlie.”
This weekend, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO) pays tribute to the legend with Sinatra but Fabulous, a concert spotlighting Winnipeg’s own Soul Bear—aka David Grenon—stepping into the iconic role of Sinatra himself.
Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m., both at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain. Expect timeless classics like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “I've Got You Under My Skin”—and a few surprises along the way.
How it all came together
The idea for Sinatra but Fabulous came out of a casual meeting between Grenon and Sean Irvine, a good friend and fellow musician.
“We actually sat in a restaurant not even a two-minute walk from here,” says Grenon. “We went through all our favourites. You mentioned Sinatra, obviously the chairman of the board like you said and all the nicknames he's got. But it's also Tony Bennett. It's also Dean Martin… it’s going to be a crooner show specifically geared towards Sinatra because Sinatra is Sinatra.”
Grenon has lived in Winnipeg for 17 years and says he’s been trying to make something like this happen with the WJO for over a decade.
“Richard Gillis and myself have tried to get together to plan shows… but with my full-time work with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, it hasn't been possible. I’m just so happy and lucky that this time it actually worked. Everything lined up.”
A rehearsal to remember
Grenon had his first rehearsal with the WJO just a few days before the show.
“It’s been amazing. They've got some amazing musicians in there,” he says. “To be able to go into a totally different band, new faces, amazing players—it’s always exciting. The band is going to sound like a carnival.”
Despite the shift in setting, Grenon says channeling Sinatra comes naturally.
“I always try to emulate that presence and that charisma that he's got, that he had on stage. He was one of a kind.”
Arrangements with history and heart
Some of the concert’s arrangements are directly inspired by Sinatra’s original recordings.
“I know that Richard and the WJO have an extensive library,” says Grenon. “But we also wanted to have specific versions… I specifically like the album At the Sands and some great albums he did with Count Basie.”
The program will also include a medley Grenon arranged himself, featuring music by French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour.
“He originates from Armenia and then France… same kind of idea as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra. It’s all about the charisma. It’s all about the presence on stage. The voice is always right on pitch.”
A tribute with a twist
While Sinatra is at the core, the concert will also feature works by other crooners and even a few unexpected tunes.
“For me, Tony Bennett’s ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ has always been one of my favourites. I’ve got I Get a Kick Out of You, Under My Skin’…”
Grenon also includes his own cover of “The Greatest Love of All”—originally recorded by George Benson, not Whitney Houston, as many might assume.
“To me it fits in the crooner style because of that, and also because my own arrangement has different vibe into it. So it’s not just a slow for the entire piece. We’re going into double time and… it’ll be fun.”
The show will also include an original tune by Sean Irvine.
“Absolutely. That’s correct. ‘We’ll Fall in Love’… It’s quite the intricate song. Sean is an amazing jazz player, jazz composer… The complexity of the chart is there specifically for the vocalist. But I truly believe it’s a gem.”
Still relevant today
Grenon believes crooner music still resonates, no matter the era.
“I mean, to me, that’s the definition of music itself… it allows me to escape a bit, to be able to focus on something else. At the end of the day, we call them crooners—that way of singing was much more about what the singer is saying, what the text is… not just singing notes.”
While Sinatra but fabulous pays homage to the golden age of crooners, it’s also a celebration of inclusivity and musical heritage.
“I’ve always said that crooner music is not a generational thing. It transcends that,” says Grenon. “I really hope that people see a diverse crowd… to recognize the work of some important LGBTQ2S+ members of the music community. Sean and myself are proud members of that community, and so was Cole Porter.”
He adds, “I hope that people look around and see a very diverse crowd of all ages just to show that that music… I hope that people have a great time. I do think that. The songs that we selected are there to make sure that people enjoy themselves.... it was the popular music of the time, but it’s still modern. It’s still popular to me. And it’s still very relevant.”
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Frank Sinatra or just discovering the magic of the crooner era, Sinatra but fabulous promises a night (and afternoon) of timeless music, big band energy, and unforgettable charm.
Presented by the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, this tribute to the Chairman of the Board features local vocalist David Grannell—aka Soul Bear—bringing the swagger and soul of Sinatra to life, alongside the powerhouse musicians of the WJO.
Two performances are scheduled:
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Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Both concerts will be held at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain, located at 340 Provencher Blvd.
For tickets and full event details, visit winnipegjazzorchestra.com.
Grab your seat, dress to impress, and get ready to swing. This is one show you won’t want to miss!