Jack Raft has what it takes to warm up the audience, keep us interested with relevant commentary, and wow us with the finished product. His matinee presentation at the Morphettville Racecourse pavilion enchanted the generous audience.

He presented his versions of the Rat Pack songs in a sure, strong and controlled baritone. Wonderfully backed by his stunning stage band, he ran us through a range of familiar tunes – Come Fly With Me, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Volare, Fly Me To The Moon and the like. The songs were finely wrought but we didn’t just get a static set list. He linked the songs with interesting back-stories and explanations, all in an open and engaging style.

This was a cabaret-style show worth seeing and hearing in any context, yet all the more remarkable coming from this composed and confident seventeen year old crooner and his young band. The seven piece band needs particular mention, because the combination of keyboard, saxophones, trumpets, double bass and drums provided stylish and subtle support to the singer, and shone in their solo spots.

Jack Raft successfully evoked the style and spirit of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. It was a polished performance from one of Adelaide’s true young talents. Emblematic of his success was his powerful rendition of You Make Me Feel So Young which he sang, and we enjoyed, without the slightest suggestion of irony.

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