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JWP Special Events (pdf)
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Artist Roster (pdf)
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Freddy Cole
Freddy Cole, the legacy of
his brother Nat “King” Cole, will stir up memories that will never be
forgotten. Now in his 40th year of performing, this great singer
and pianist has developed a huge following of his own. The
instantly recognizable Cole voice and a veteran quartet, play the
classics as well as new compositions and interpretations from a huge
repertoire.
Lionel Frederick Cole was born on October 15, 1931, the youngest of
Edward and Paulina Nancy Cole’s five children. His three elder
brothers, Eddie, Ike and Nat (12 years Freddy’s senior) were all
musicians. “I started playing piano at five or six,” Freddy
remembers. “Music was all around me.” In the Chicago home of his
youth, visitors included Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel
Hampton.
Cole moved to New York in 1951, where he studied at the Juillard School
of Music and found himself profoundly influenced by John Lewis, Oscar
Peterson and Teddy Wilson. He received a master’s degree from the
New England Conservatory of Music and then spent several months on the
road as a member of an Earl Bostic band that also included Johnny Coles
and Benny Golson.
It was back in New York that Cole successfully laid the groundwork for
a career that continues to flourish to this day. He developed a vast
repertoire of songs in Manhattan bistros and concurrently began to
supplement his live performances with television and radio commercial
jingle work.
Cole doesn’t apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat “King” Cole.
There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano and sings,
and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his
voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. But he has emerged from the
awesome shadow cast by his elder brother. In truth, his phrasing is far
closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his
brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals – suave,
elegant, formidable and articulate – are among the most respected in
jazz.
"He’s one of the few male jazz singers
these days who is still at the height of his powers and can be taken
seriously.”
Ben Ratliff
The New York Times
“Freddy
Cole just might be the most attractively understated jazz singer
currently at work.”
Lloyd Sachs
Chicago Sun-Times
The Freddy Cole Christmas Holiday Show
 The
legendary Freddy Cole, with the distinctive "Cole" family voice,
unwraps your favorite holiday gems in this unforgettable Christmas
show. Reminiscent of the holdiay programs his famed brother Nat
"King" Cole performed on tour and television, Freddy recreates that
warm, nostalgic spirit.
Freddy sings and plays all
the holiday classics including "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas,
" Jingle Bells" and more. The way that only a Cole can do
it. The way that you remember.
The show is also
interwoven with family tales of Christmas' past from the Cole
family. Bring the kids and the grandparents for a holiday show
that the whole family can enjoy.
>
"Jack Frost Snow" from "I Want a Smile for Christmas" (Fantasy/Concord)
(mp3)
>
"The Christmas Song" from "I Want a Smile for Christmas"
(Fantasy/Concord) ) (mp3)
Downloads
>
Freddy Cole Bio (pdf)
>
Freddy Cole NY Times Review (pdf)
>
Jazz Radio Charts Top 100 (2005) (pdf)
 > "Getting
Some Fun Out of Life" from Freddy Cole's "Because of You" (HighNote
2006) (mp3)
> "Blame
It On My Youth" from Freddy Cole's "Because of You" (HighNote 2006)
(mp3)
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