Bob Hoose And His Orchestra

It's unfortunate that what Bob Hoose And His Orchestra do so well, almost everyone else does so poorly.

Hoose and his formidable band are often lumped together with other regional acts who "do Sinatra." But that's unfair, for a couple of reasons.

First, Hoose has hired a 16-piece group that rivals anyone out there, regional or national. It helps that Hoose is based in South Florida, where many phenomenal jazz musicians from "up north" have come to retire, rehab, or defrost. Led by musical director Frank Derrick, some of these guys currently perform or have played and recorded with Sinatra, Woody Herman, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, even the Bee Gees.

Second, Hoose himself is a talent. Yet it doesn't go to his head. On this disc, he sounds just like the Chairman of the Board, but he has the ego of a stenographer. Most "Sinatra-Style" vocalists downplay their backing bands and cover just the standards, feeding off the applause of audiences who don't want their expectations challenged.

But Hoose is more of a Sinatra interpreter, never a Sinatra imitator - he doesn't wear trench coats on stage, and he doesn't ape Frank note for note. And on "Something Old, Something New", Hoose allows the band to shine and selects a diverse set list - from "I Only Have Eyes for You" to a perfect version of the under-appreciated novelty, "The Coffee Song." There's a lot of Cole Porter and even a couple of Hoose originals. While the traditional arrangements are to be expected, Hoose's friend Mike Lewis adds some verve to a half-dozen other numbers.

It's too bad that Hoose couldn't add a DVD companion disc to this album, or throw in a pair of tickets to one of his theater concerts, because no matter how well he and his band performed in the studio - and they're so tight they needed nary a second take - it still falls short of seeing them live. It's close, though, because Hoose also made the decision to record this album live. He simply stood in front of his band and sang his guts out. No overdubs. No studio tricks. Just music.

Michael Koretzky

Assistant Editor / Jazziz Magazine - Jazziz Magazine

Frank Sinatra's music and legendary renditions have always been something of interest for people of earlier generations to turn to. Let's face it, today's pop music sound has become more of an electronic mess rather than real music. Sinatra's tunes usually bring the listener on a journey to nostalgic times where pop music was straightforward, sublime, and more soulful and pure of heart.


Bob Hoose And His Orchestra bring back those feelings of yesteryear during the Sinatra musical tribute. The show just wrapped after delighting audiences July 11-13 at the Cuillo Center for the Performing Arts, in Downtown West Palm Beach. If you missed it, fear not, Hoose and his "Celebration of Sinatra" will be returning August 9 and 10.


This show is something to see for all musical lovers. The song interpretations are indeed soulful, and you'll definitely leave satisfied by an entire night's worth of musical entertainment.


Hoose's sixteen-piece orchestra masterfully performs 18 of Old Blue Eyes' classic songs in a revue that recreates a specific Sinatra concert that was performed in the Dominican Republic, circa 1982. Along with the beautiful music comes along Mr. Hoose's silky and raucous crooning of these standards. Such notable songs include "Come Fly With Me," "It Was A Very Good Year" and "Just One Of Those Things." Hoose's cool phrasing of lyrics expertly channels the Sinatra spirit.


By being an expert on his classic renditions, Hoose does a fine job avoiding certain characteristics of breath patterns and phrasing of lyrics that Sinatra possessed.


Also worth mentioning is Hoose's jivey interpretation of the famous "West Side Story" medley as the orchestra closes the first half of the show. Using moody reds and blues for lighting, we are transported to the world of the rebellious teenagers of the classic love story as our ears become our eyes filled with sound.


Be sure to catch this show, and you're sure to be swept away by Hoose as he breathes new life into the timeless classics of the one and only: Francis Albert Sinatra.


Bob Hoose And His Orchestra will be performing Saturday, August 9, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 10, at 2 p.m. at the Cuillo Centre for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $26.00.

July 31, 2003 - By Mark J. Namit - University Press / FAU

Bob Hoose And His Orchestra
"Something Old, Something New" - HYD Records:

I'm in the music business and it's rare that I'd get on and review a demo that was sent to me. In fact, it's rare that I'd get through the entire thing...if I get to it at all. But I've listened to this CD several times. Great vocals, instrumentation, and arrangements. Very impressive for any artist, but especially an independent one. If you're looking for a record that proves that there are still musicians who know how to play with both technique and feeling, I highly recommend this. I think Bob's vocals are excellent, but don't overpower the backing band. He lets them shine just as much as he does, which is refreshing. This CD is a great mix of Bob's take on classic songs with own songs and arrangements mixed in. This is a guy to watch. - David Hooper