PHILADELPHIA - You may wonder what genre Frank Sinatra's music falls under. He was an American actor and singer best known as the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ole 'Blue Eyes." His music spanned various genres, but the most popular was his R&B/soul music. His albums and singles sold over 150 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful music artists.
There are many ways to define a musician's style, and Frank Sinatra's music is no exception. While the most popular artists are easier to categorize, defining a genre for Frank Sinatra's music is not always as simple as it might seem. His music draws inspiration from various genres, and he often uses elements from different genres to make his music unique.
Frank Sinatra merged classical and jazz styles. His recordings often featured string and woodwind sections, horns, bass, and drums. While he was not a classically trained musician, his ear for musical harmony helped him distinguish between in-tune and out-of-tune instruments. For example, his 1956 cover of "Close to You" features a string quartet.
Sinatra had a huge voice and was one of his generation's best male singers. Yet, despite the popularity of his music, he struggled to break into the top 100 charts. His frustration in his private life surfaced in his public life, but his music changed the genre, and he became one of the world's most popular live acts.
