Jazz band leader keeps Trumps’ first dance hush- hush

Donald Trump’s first dance on inauguration night will likely have a Frank Sinatra vibe.

Tim Rushlow & His Big Band will provide the music for Donald and Melania Trump’s first dance as president and first lady on Friday, Rushlow confirms to USA TODAY.

The news made headlines Tuesday, but Rushlow has known about the gig since Dec. 23. “This has been in the works for a while,” he says.

Rushlow, who switched gears from his ’ 90s country act Little Texas to swing jazz in recent years, says it was The Apprentice mega- producer Mark Burnett and his music supervisor who approached him.

Entertainment for the coming weekend has been a bumpy unveiling for Trump, whose inaugu- ral committee has struggled to book A- list talent for the weekend’s festivities.

Jackie Evancho, a 16- year- old classical crossover and pop singer who placed second on America’s Got Talent in 2010, will perform the national anthem, and 3 Doors Down, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the New York City Rockettes are among confirmed talent. ( One Rockette made headlines expressing her displeasure with the job following the announcement.)

Rushlow was set to perform Thursday alongside Sam Moore and country stars Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith at the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.

He would not reveal the song the Trumps have selected for their first dance at the Freedom Ball ( the largest of three Inaugural Balls they’re likely to attend), but “I’m really excited to bring this throwback, retro, 1965 Bobby Darin supper club experience to an Inaugural Ball,” he says.

His party line? Rushlow calls himself a “Constitutionalist” and says he’s performing in hopes of “uniting our country,” adding that he would have “absolutely” agreed to perform should Hillary Clinton have won the election.

“It’s not like I have a neutral opinion” politically, he says. “It’s more that I want the best for our country. ... We have to move forward. Let’s do this with class and with grace.”

The crooner says he’s not worried about the sort of backlash Jennifer Holliday received. The Broadway star initially confirmed an inaugural performance but backed out after receiving heavy criticism. “For the record, I am a huge Jennifer Holliday fan. ... I don’t disrespect in any way her choice to pull out,” says Rushlow. “She has that right and that’s OK. ... From the beginning, I felt like, you know what, I need to do this.”

But he has yet to meet Trump. “I look forward to that,” says Rushlow.

TERRY WYATT, GETTY IMAGES Tim Rushlow, center, makes a point with Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus, left, and former NFL player Kevin Carter.