Frank Sinatra, the song stylist who would have turned 100 years old next year, is having his centennial commemorated with the release of a mobile application containing rare recordings, videos and photos from his life and career.

The free app, available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and Android tablets, also includes interviews about Sinatra with friends and family members. The 21st century-style tribute to the singer is of a piece with his reputation as an innovator who revolutionized the use of the microphone ? a lightly explored instrument in the 1940s ? to tell a song?s story.

 

?When Frank Sinatra first hit the stage in the 1930s, the only way to experience his genius was either live or on a record,? said Jamie Turner, marketing author and CEO of 60 Second Communications.

?That?s not the case now, thanks to Frank Sinatra 100. 

?This app allows people to experience Sinatra via photos, audio and video in a new and engaging format and will expose his genius to legions of new fans.?

An important distinction exists between the creation of music and the distribution of music, Mr. Turner said. 

?If you don?t have distribution, then you don?t have an audience,? he said. ?This app will introduce Sinatra?s music to legions of new fans in a way that?s fitting for the 21st century.? 

Besides several rare and previously unseen photos, a Sinatra slideshow feature and exclusive audio recordings and videos, the app includes a 1962 filmed performance excerpted from the new Sinatra: London box set. 

Over time, the app will evolve and add to the story of one of the 20th century?s most important pop culture figures.

Sinatra, born Dec. 12, 1915 in Hoboken, NJ, is best known for his body of 1,400 recordings. He is generally considered one of the greatest interpreters of songs by composers such as Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen and others that exemplified what became known as the Great American Songbook. 

He was one of the first major popular singers to regularly record and perform these songs, which would eventually become known as standards. 

Sinatra?s way of phrasing a lyric in a conversational style also enhanced his storytelling in a song.

Besides his body of recorded work, Sinatra acted in numerous films, including From Here to Eternity, for which he won an Academy Award.

He died at 82 on May 14, 1998.

To accompany the app?s visual features, in-app music purchase options are available via major digital service providers, including the new Mastered for iTunes releases on the iTunes store.

Sinatra?s music can also be streamed via in-app connectivity to Spotify, Rdio or Deezer. 

The app follows the release two weeks ago by Universal Music Enterprises and Frank Sinatra Enterprises of Sinatra: London, a new 3-CD/DVD and digital audio collection presenting the remastered Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain studio album with other London highlights from Sinatra?s career.

The set includes more than 50 previously unreleased recordings and its DVD features a previously unreleased filmed 1962 concert from Royal Festival Hall, plus a 1970 concert appearance from the same venue with a never before released performance of the song ?A Foggy Day.?

Sinatra thus joins rock performers such as The Who, Kiss and AC/DC who have had their life and work commemorated by the release of mobile apps.

With mobile, an artist is able to reach new fans and extend his brand to a new audience. 

?There are some singers that every generation needs to experience. They include Elvis, McCartney and, of course, Sinatra,? Mr. Turner said. ?This app allows people from all walks of life to explore and enjoy the brilliance of Frank Sinatra and his music.?