Good evening and welcome back to the music education column from the Perform School of Music. Today, we begin the week dedicated to one of the most renowned voices and one of the most appreciated and listened-to artists of all time: Frank Sinatra.

Sinatra approached music as a teenager during the Great Depression, inspired by legends like Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday. In 1935, Sinatra won the "Major Bowes Amateur Hour" contest with the group "The Hoboken Four," marking an initial stepping stone for his career. A significant turning point came in 1939 when he joined Harry James' orchestra. With James, Sinatra began refining his unique voice and honing his style, further improved from the 1940s onward through collaboration with Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra.

Sinatra's transition from a popular crooner to an interpreter of romantic ballads marked the signature of his early successes. In 1942, his career took off with the song "All or Nothing at All," an early success established through, as we've recalled, key collaborations and musical experimentation.

Today, we present to you precisely this early success. Enjoy listening!