Jazz Articles about Freddy Cole

Freddy Cole: The Cole Nobody Knows

by Jim Santella
December 4, 2005

Freddy Cole The Cole Nobody Knows Plan B Productions 2005

Nat King Cole was unforgettable. His shadow extended far and wide. But, no one ever intended for that shadow to obscure the careers of Natalie, Ike, Eddie or Freddy Cole. Their talents overlap somewhat, but there's never been reason to consider the relationship anything more than what it is. There are other family members, too, and each has shown that heredity counts ...

Freddy Cole: This Love of Mine

by Andrew Rowan
November 7, 2005

Freddy Cole has crafted a marvelous performance with This Love of Mine. He mingles old warhorses, giving them new clothes and offers newer songs, making them sound ageless. Here and there the voice sounds frayed but it only adds to his authority. The afterglow that the session radiates makes it a keeper. The delights start with a swinging “What Now My Love? What is remarkable is Cole's ability to swing with authority and with ease. The trademark ...

Freddy Cole: Waiter Ask The Man to Play the Blues

by Javier AQ Ortiz
June 10, 2005

Originally released either in 1956, according to Freddy Cole's official website, or 1964, per the reissue's information, Waiter Ask The Man to Play the Blues: Freddie Cole Sings & Plays Some Lonely Ballads isn't--as the title might tempt one to think--an exercise in despondent blues and wrist slashing. Actually, it has plenty of tight, low, sizzling bluesy swing. Cab Calloway alumni Milt Hinton and Sam “The Man Taylor (the latter being the instrumental star of the session) ...

Freddy Cole: I'm Not My Brother, I'm Me

by Joel Roberts
November 13, 2004

Despite its unfortunate title, I'm Not My Brother, I'm Me is much more a tribute to Nat “King" Cole from younger brother Freddy Cole than a declaration of Freddy's independence. A fine singer and pianist in his own right, Freddy has spent his career in the shadow of his much better-known sibling - even three decades after Nat's death. The two share an almost uncanny vocal resemblance, both in terms of the distinctive smoky timbre of their ...

Freddy Cole: Rio de Janeiro Blue

by AAJ Staff
June 1, 2001

The confluence of Freddy Cole's style with the appeal of Brazilian music seems such a natural that one wonders why it didn't happen before. But the confluence finally does happen on Rio de Janeiro Blue as Cole elucidates the connection between tunes from the American songbook and the emotional significance of Brazilian tunes.That connection, basically, involves setting a mood and telling a story, thus using the foundation of musical fiction to reach conclusions about life's truths. Most often, ...

Freddy Cole: Merry Go Round

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2000

There's the eternal question of what makes a jazz singer. (Well, it's not really eternal, but in jazz years, it might as well be.) Is a jazz singer one who adopts instrumental phrasing, even though many jazz musicians swear that they are trying to simulate the human voice in turn? Is a jazz singer one who abandons or inter-mixes lyrics? Is a jazz singer one who surrounds oneself with jazz musicians?While certain vocalists like Nat Cole are accepted ...

Freddy Cole: Merry Go Round

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 2000

Have sympathy for the sibling of the famous entertainer. Folks like Jerry Van Dyke, Billy Ripken, and the Baldwin brother that made the movie with Cindy Crawford (at least he got to work with a supermodel) all have had careers in which they could not step out from the large shadow cast by their brothers. The best bet for brothers is to pick separate careers or instruments like Elvin, Thad and Hank Jones. But save you pity for singer/pianist Freddie ...