Sinatra Big Band is a Frank Sinatra tribute led by vocalist Matt Mauser and arranger-conductor Pete Jacobs. The show is built around the sound of Sinatra with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Sands in Las Vegas.

Sinatra Big Band is a Frank Sinatra tribute project led by Matt Mauser and arranger-conductor Pete Jacobs.

Matt Mauser has been performing since the late 1990s as the lead singer of the Southern California rock band The Tijuana Dogs. As that band became known for weddings, corporate parties, and other events that called for a more sophisticated style of music, Matt developed a strong connection to Sinatra’s catalog, focusing on the phrasing and vocal details that defined the songs Frank sang.

Pete Jacobs was born in Claremont, California. He studied music at Azusa Pacific University and went on to a career as a producer and music arranger. In 1997, he formed the 16-piece big band Wartime Radio Revue. That ensemble has performed across the United States and Europe, including appearances at Lincoln Center in New York, Disneyland, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Matt and Pete were introduced in 2005 by Tijuana Dogs guitarist Dave Murdy, who was also performing with Wartime Radio Revue. In 2011, Matt brought Pete the idea of building a Frank Sinatra tribute band, and they began charting music, recording vocals, and rehearsing with the big band.

The result is a Sinatra tribute built around the sound and feel of Frank Sinatra singing with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. For buyers, it is a clear-format tribute led by an established vocalist and backed by an arranger with big band experience and a 16-piece ensemble in his background.