How Quincy Jones Helped Frank Sinatra Create a Hit Song
Quincy Jones, a pioneer of the music industry, recently passed away at the age of 91. He helped countless artists over the years, including the famous Frank Sinatra. In fact, the two formed a beautiful partnership and friendship. Jones helped to transform one of Sinatra’s most famous songs into a timeless classic. Sinatra had already recorded “Fly Me to the Moon” in 1964 when Jones came in as an arranger.
He gave the song a faster tempo and worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, adding a jazzy rhythm. This collaboration was part of their work together on the album It Might as Well Be Swing and cemented Sinatra as a jazz-pop vocalist. The song, arranged by Jones, was played on the Apollo 10 and 11 missions, making it even more famous.
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Jones showcased how changing a song ever so slightly can elevate it immensely. Beyond working together, the two became good friends with Sinatra often referring to Jones as “Q” and Jones calling Sinatra “Francis” or “Old Blue Eyes.” Sinatra brought Jones with him to Las Vegas in 1964 to perform with the Count Basie Orchestra, which challenged the racial segregation laws at the time.
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Sinatra often called Jones one of the greatest musicians of all time. Even after they stopped working together, both stars continued to sing each other’s praises and remained loyal. Jones once said about Sinatra and working with him on It Might as Well Be Swing, “He can stretch out a little further even in a set rhythmic figure. And he’s just not constricted by the melody as it was written. He bends it so that invariably it fits flawlessly into what’s going on in the background. So far as I can put the essence of Frank into words, I’d say that he just makes everything work. He makes everything fit, and that’s exactly what happened on these sessions.”
Now for your listening pleasure:
Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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