What Genre is Frank Sinatra’s Music?

Hailing from Hoboken, New Jersey, Frank Sinatra’s musical journey began under the influence of the intimate and velvety vocal stylings of Bing Crosby. Inspired by the swing era, he embarked on his career alongside renowned bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, immersing himself in the vibrant sounds and popular genres that defined an era.

What set Sinatra apart was his unwavering dedication to his craft. Remarkably, he never learned how to read music, but his relentless pursuit of musical excellence knew no bounds. His passion and talent for music led him to command the stage effortlessly and capture the hearts of audiences from the 1940s to the 1960s. 

With a staggering estimated 150 million record sales, Sinatra is acknowledged as one of the best-selling music artists worldwide today.

As Sinatra signed a deal with Capitol Records, he embarked on a musical journey that would forever change the landscape of popular music. His albums showcased his ability to curate songs that evoked specific emotions. 

From the haunting melancholy of the sorrowful romantic songs in Wee Small Hours (1955) to the effervescent joy of Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956), Sinatra’s recordings became treasured gems in the tapestry of the Great American Songbook. 

Let’s delve into the enigmatic world of Frank Sinatra’s music to unravel what genre was Frank Sinatra’s music defined as and the characteristics of the timeless melodies of this true musical legend together!

The answer to whether Frank Sinatra was a jazz singer or not lies in the complexity of his musical journey. While he undeniably left an indelible mark on the jazz landscape with his collaborations with renowned jazz artists and his performances with big bands, Sinatra’s boundless versatility defies strict categorization. 

Sinatra’s deep appreciation for big band jazz was fostered at a young age, as he grew up idolizing the likes of Rudy Vallée, Gene Austin, Bob Eberly, and Russ Colombo. As an outcome, Sinatra found solace and inspiration in the captivating world of jazz. 
 

One distinctive style closely associated with Sinatra’s musical legacy is swing music—a vibrant subgenre of jazz that flourished during the ’20s and ’30s. An example is his 1961 album Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!!.

When we dive deeper into Frank Sinatra’s genre and discography, we encounter albums like Swing Easy, a collection of effortlessly swinging melodies that opened with the classic “Just One of Those Things” by Cole Porter. And let’s not forget the undeniable masterpiece Songs for Swingin’ Lovers, with Sinatra’s rendition of “I Got You Under My Skin” under the spotlight.

If you are a jazz enthusiast and Sinatra’s passion for jazz music inspired you to appreciate the genre to greater heights, you will be happy to know that our royalty-free music catalog here at Snapmuse is swinging with a collection of royalty free jazz music. From smooth melodies to toe-tapping rhythms, our jazz tunes are ready to harmonize with your personal and commercial projects, be it videos, ads, and more!

As his unique style transcends traditional boundaries, it is difficult to confine Frank Sinatra’s music genre to a single genre. His ability to infuse each song with intricate lyrics, passion, and emotion, combined with his masterful vocal control, sets him apart as a true musical legend. Frank Sinatra’s genre encompasses the realms of classic pop, jazz, swing, bolero, and R&B soul music, among others.

When talking about Frank Sinatra’s unique style, we can’t overlook how he revolutionized the shape of albums for the future. This unremarkable story includes the release of his album Wee Small Hours, which was sparked by Sinatra’s vision that defied the norms of traditional pop at his time. 

Rather than settling for the conventional 10-inch pop record format, Sinatra aimed for something that would demand more respect at his time. He sought to release the album in a format befitting the realm of the revered genre of his day: classical music. 

When Wee Small Hours was released on 12-inch records, the album broke the mold and challenged the status quo immensely. This is how Sinatra set a new standard and altered the landscape of album releases for the upcoming future! 

But the length of Frank Sinatra’s genre and his unique style doesn’t stop there. It was also his extraordinary vocal talent that defied convention and captivated audiences worldwide.

Ready to learn all about the vocal brilliance of Frank Sinatra’s artistry? Let’s explore the characteristics that defined his remarkable style.

A baritone voice typically ranges from F2 to G4 and occupies the mid-range for male voices. Extending from G2 to G4, Sinatra’s baritone voice was the signature of his musical genius. The velvety richness of his voice transported his listeners to the realms of love, heartbreak, and the triumphs and struggles of life with a careworn and burnished quality. 

Even if you are not familiar with musical terminology, you can easily recognize Sinatra’s baritone voice when you give his traditional pop hit “Fly Me to the Moon” a listen. 

Keep in mind that whether you are looking for pop songs with bass, baritone, or tenor vocals for your creative projects, our royalty-free music library has a remarkable selection of royalty free pop music you can use to take your content to the next level!

Sinatra’s legato singing style is among his vocal characteristics that added a seamless flow of nuance to his music. The enhancement in the emotional depth of Sinatra’s songs is heard through his smooth and connected phrasing.

Here are some examples that demonstrate Sinatra’s mastery of legato:

• “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
• “Fly Me to the Moon”
• “Strangers in the Night”
• “The Way You Look Tonight”
• “My Funny Valentine”
• “All the Way”

Sinatra’s mastery of breath control allowed him to sustain longer notes and shape phrases with precision. Whether in his live performances or studio recordings, his vocal consistency showcased the remarkable breath control he possessed.

When we question what genre was Frank Sinatra’s music, we can mention various musical genres, but he is not typically considered a rock artist. Sinatra’s career predated the rise of rock and roll, and his music largely thrived in the realms of classic pop, swing, and jazz. 

Even though Sinatra’s music may have influenced later rock artists, his own sound remained distinctively rooted in the big band era. However, if you are looking for rock music or any other genre to complement your creative projects, you are in luck! 

Here at Snapmuse, our non-copyrighted music library has a vast collection of music spanning various genres and moods, energetic rock tracks to soothing jazz melodies that are similar to Frank Sinatra’s music genre and classical pop music. Browse our extensive royalty-free music and sound effects library today to discover the perfect track to elevate your videos, social media content, ads, and more!

The 1940s marked a golden age for big band music, and the vibrant and energetic genre of swing music was what dominated the music scene of the era. However, it is important to note that the 1940s musical landscape was not limited to just swing and popular genres. 

Remember how we mentioned Frank Sinatra’s revolutionary move of releasing his album Wee Small Hours on a 12-inch record earlier in this article? 

This showcased the respect and influence that classical music held during that time, as 12-inch records were typically associated with classical music albums. So, it is safe to say that the ’40s witnessed a unique coexistence of classical music and popular genres. 

And remember, if you are in search of high-quality classical royalty free music or music from any genre and mood, you can find them here at Snapmuse by exploring our diverse royalty-free catalog today!

As we conclude our article about Frank Sinatra’s musical genius and what genre was Frank Sinatra’s music, we would like to highlight how Sinatra’s music transcends a strict genre categorization once again! 
 

From his immersion in swing music, traditional pop, jazz, and R&B to his unique baritone and legato singing style and breath control, Sinatra’s versatile musical repertoire and unmatched talent continue to astonish audiences worldwide even today.