jwp

Jim Wadsworth Productions Agency
2213 Bellfield Avenue • Cleveland Heights, OH 44106

 
«  Home  |  Special Events  Artists   |    Tour Dates  |    Contact   |    Nighttown     

JWP Special Events (pdf)

JWP Artist Roster (pdf)


 

Freddy Cole

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
I Want a Smile for ChristmasThe 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.


Audio
> "Jack Frost Snow" from "I Want a Smile for Christmas" (Fantasy/Concord) (mp3)

Audio
> "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)

Because of You
> "Getting Some Fun Out of Life" from Freddy Cole's "Because of You" (HighNote 2006) (mp3)

Because of You
"Blame It On My Youth" from Freddy Cole's "Because of You" (HighNote 2006) (mp3)



© Copyright 2007 Jim Wadsworth Productions Agency. All rights reserved.