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| Freddy Cole Quartet: new spectacular show  Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy-nominated singer, and recipient of the 2005 Living Legend Jazz Award, Freddy Cole will return to the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center for another spectacular show. The younger brother of Nat “King” Cole, Freddy Cole is an accomplished pianist and an extraordinary vocalist. Although there are certain similarities, Freddy has emerged from the shadows of his late brother to become an international star and one of the most respected musicians in jazz. This performance will feature music from his new album, This Love of Mine. Born Lionel Frederick Cole, Freddy was the youngest of five children. His three older brothers, Eddie, Ike and Nat (twelve years Freddy's senior) were all musicians.Freddy started playing piano at around five or six and later played and sang in Chicago clubs as a teenager. Although he was ready to hit the road at 18, his mother intervened and he continued his musical education at the Roosevelt Institute in Chicago. In 1951, Freddy moved to New York to study at the Juilliard School of Music. He has a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Freddy became a recording artist in 1952 with his first single, “The Joke's On Me.” Since then, he has recorded numerous albums including several for European and English companies which helped him build a loyal fan base overseas. Freddy believes that becoming an international favorite helped him to “widen his scope a little bit.” He developed a stand-up act, a better rapport with audiences, and he even learned to sing in other languages. Freddy tours regularly in the US, Europe, the Far East and South America with current band members, guitarist Jerry Byrd, drummer Curtis Boyd and bassist Zachery Pride. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |