When Francis Albert Sinatra kicked the bucket more than a decade ago, his departure left a yawning chasm in American pop that, despite the valiant but feeble efforts of Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr., will clearly never be filled. Well, ring-a-ding-ding, here's the next best thing: the L.A. Jazz Institute's four-day Frank-centric festival, Come Swing With Me . More than 200 jazz players are set to participate in a lucky 13 concerts, plus a slew of film screenings, panel discussions and special presentations examining Sinatra's remarkable career, from his swoon-croon breakout, when thousands of squealing bobby soxers proclaimed themselves “Slaves of Sinatra,” through his landmark recordings at Capitol, Reprise and beyond (but hopefully not up and including the swan-song stinker Duet disks — Lord, Bono is such a jackass). With contributions from the incomparable veteran jazz saxist Plas Johnson, big wheel Mike Melvoin, who played on most of Frank's Reprise–era sides (those are Melvoin's keys on “Summer Wind,” f'rinstance) and longtime FS chum Frankie Randall, whom Sinatra rated as “a marvelous singer who plays more piano than there are keys,” and a host of ghost bands (including the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, toting those unrivaled charts), expect a nonstop, wall-to-wall swarm of Franktastic frolic.

Thu., Oct. 21; Fri., Oct. 22; Sat., Oct. 23; Sun., Oct. 24, 2010

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.