Monday 14 September 2026

South Lawn Hotel, Lymington Road, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0RF

Monthly Meeting

Chris Walker - The Life and Musuc of Frank Sinatra

Chris was born in 1939 and took-up playing clarinet aged 15, having been a member of his school recorder band since he was 11. After leaving school he played around the London jazz scene as a member of the Freddy Shaw Jazzmen, before becoming a professional musician with the London City Stompers and later with Mike Daniels Big Band and Colin Kingwell's Jazz Bandits. He now has his own band The Chris Walker Swingtet.  

Chris moved to Hampshire in 1969 where his achievements include a weekly jazz programme for Radio Solent that ran for 27 years. He also produces and presents a jazz diary for the Solent area, has assisted with jazz events in Portsmouth, Southsea, Reading and Chichester and coordinated jazz-themed cruises for P&O.

Synopsis

Chris traces the musical career of Frank Sinatra, the man and his music - one of the greatest singers of the 20th Century. From his early days as a singer with big bands to topping the bill in Las Vegas and in Hollywood movies. Rare footage and photographs are included in this musical tribute, featuring recordings from Chris's own collection.