Jack's here to croon a tune (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Jack's here to croon a tune

8:42am Tuesday 16th June 2009 in News By Emma Clayton

He was born John Allan Jones, on the night his actor/singer father recorded his signature song, Donkey Serenade.

He has counted Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Mel Torme among his fans, and was a major influence on Scott Walker.

He is Jack Jones, and he’s coming to Bradford this autumn, performing songs from a career spanning more than half a century.

The singer, who won Grammy awards for his hits Lollipops And Roses and Wives And Lovers and was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is playing 12 dates around the UK.

The tour coincides with the release of his new album I Have Never Had It So Good, his first since the early 1990s, featuring previously unreleased tracks in his distinctive smooth, classy style. His hits include I Can’t Believe I’m Losing You, The Way That I Live and The Impossible Dream. He recorded Strangers In The Night before Sinatra did.

Jack recorded more than 50 albums and is the voice behind the theme tune to Seventies TV series The Love Boat. He appeared in Airplane 2: The Sequel and British comedy film Cruise Of The Gods with Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and David Walliams.

Jack’s father Allan Jones was a singer and movie star, and as a young athlete Jack gave up his track and football team sports to devote himself to the arts.

He was further inspired when his friend Nancy Sinatra’s rather famous father sang in the school auditorium.

Jack’s professional debut was as part of his father’s act at a Las Vegas hotel, aged 19.

After recording a couple of demos for songwriter Don Raye, he began to be noticed by the music industry and he released his first album, This Love Of Mine, while working as a petrol station attendant. He was surprised to hear one of his tracks playing on the radio while washing a customer’s windscreen.

Like Tony Bennett, Jack Jones is one of the last old-school pop-jazz singers still performing at the top of their game.

Jack Jones will be at St George’s Hall on November 18. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.