I Was Frank Sinatra's Unwanted Saxophonist

Musician Duncan Lamont talks to Andrew McGibbon about growing up in Greenock, playing jazz saxophone, composing music for television shows, and being fired from Sinatra's band.

Frank Sinatra remains one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. In a singing career characterised by a spectacular reinvention after falling out of fashion, he came to epitomise a cool, intelligent post war jazz chic - a singer with a unique, close mic singing technique, supported in the studio and live by some of the best musicians and bandleaders in the world.

Throughout the 1960s, he solidified further his claim on the swingin' crooner style with a string of critically acclaimed albums, and later appearing with his cartoonish mob of co-performers in the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Junior and Dean Martin. He maintained a sure grip on the business side of his music, creating his own record label, Reprise.

Sinatra's touring schedule meant that, when he came to the UK, only the best musicians were called upon to play with him. Duncan was one of Frank Sinatra's regular musicians when he performed in the UK until, without warning, he found himself unwanted.

Duncan is a prolific composer, having written the music to the TV shows Mr Benn, King Rollo and Spot as well as the critically praised, Young Persons Guide to the Jazz Orchestra.

After having been faithful to Frank for many years, he found that as far as Sinatra was concerned, he was "outta luck".

Written and presented by Andrew McGibbon.

Producers: Nick Romero and Andrew McGibbon

A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2018.