HE is the epitome of cool and is currently touring the UK as part of his celebration of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday.

Now aged 78, Jack Jones looks much younger than his years and is still enthusiastic about his performing,

Born into a show-business family; his mother was actress Irene Hervey and his father was the singer/actor Allan Jones who appeared in a number of films with The Marx Brothers and had a big hit with the song 'Donkey Serenade' he got the singing bug after one of his friends invited her father to sing at the school. His friend was called Nancy and her father was called Frank – Frank Sinatra.

Years later Sinatra was to say that Jack was "One of the major singers of our time". High praise indeed, and Judy Garland called him "The best jazz singer in the world."

"To hear things like that is wonderful," he said, "It meant that the people I admired, those who had worked hard to get where they were, were appreciating what I was trying to do.

"I remember when Judy Garland came to see me at The Coconut Grove. She didn't take her eyes from my performance the whole time and she wouldn't speak to anyone."

In the early Sixties he recorded Lollipops and Roses which earned him the first of two Grammy Awards.

Jack has subsequently recorded 50 albums and has had over 30 hit singles in America and in 1989 he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As part of Jack's celebrations of Sinatra's Centenary, he has recorded an new CD, Seriously Frank, in which Jack is backed by a 22-piece orchestra

"Sinatra's sense of rhythm and his understanding of the words and emotions made him special," said Jack. "He was able to convey the full meaning of the songs. He was the first of the pop/jazz swingers."

In a career, which stretches nearly 60 years, Jack says there have been many highlights.

"There certainly has; winning the Grammy Awards, playing the London Palladium and doing two Royal Command Performances."

"Also, I think singing the theme to 'The Love Boat'. The cast and I are all still great friends and I've just returned from a reunion with them all."

And the Sinatra show has been well-received so far.

"We've only done it in Los Angeles and the reaction's been wonderful. I do have my other show ion Las Vegas with a trio which is ever-evolving, but the British tour will be the full orchestra.

"I won't be just doing the Sinatra songs in the UK, it'll also have my hits and Grammy stuff, plus having the orchestra there will be fantastic.

"It's gonna be fun," he concludes with a twinkle in his eye.

Jack Jones and his Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, on Sunday, February 7. Details from 0161 907 9000