Freddy Cole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freddy Cole
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Cole in 2003
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lionel Frederick Cole |
| Born | October 15, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | June 27, 2020 (aged 88) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
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| Years active | 1952–2020 |
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Lionel Frederick Cole (born October 15, 1931 – died June 27, 2020) was a famous American jazz singer and piano player. He made music for almost 70 years! Freddy Cole was also the brother of well-known musicians Nat King Cole, Eddie Cole, and Ike Cole. His son was Lionel Cole, and his nieces were Natalie Cole and Carole Cole.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Freddy Cole was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Rev. Edward J. Coles and Perlina (Adams) Coles. Freddy grew up with his three brothers, all of whom became musicians. These included Nat King Cole, Eddie Cole, and Ike Cole.
Freddy started playing the piano when he was just six years old. He continued to study music at the Roosevelt Institute in Chicago. In 1951, he moved to New York City. There, he studied at the Juilliard School of Music. He later earned a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.
Freddy Cole's Music Career
In 1953, Freddy Cole had some success with his song "Whispering Grass." He then spent several months touring with the Earl Bostic band. This band included famous jazz musicians like Johnny Coles and Benny Golson.
During the 1970s, Freddy recorded many albums in Europe and England. He also worked with other great artists, such as Grover Washington, Jr.. Freddy even recorded short songs called jingles for different companies, including Turner Classic Movies.
In 2006, a documentary film was made about him. It was called The Cole Nobody Knows. In June of that year, Freddy Cole became a Steinway Artist. This means he was recognized as a top piano player by the famous Steinway company.
In 2007, Freddy Cole was honored by being added to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2009, he released a live album. It featured his own band, the Freddy Cole Quartet. This group included guitarist Randy Napoleon, drummer Curtis Boyd, and bassist Elias Bailey. They played at Dizzy's jazz club in Lincoln Center.
His 2010 album, Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B, was nominated for a Grammy. This is a very important music award! It was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The album featured other talented musicians like tenor Houston Person. In 2010, Freddy also performed live on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. This was his first national TV appearance in many years.
His 2018 album, My Mood is You, also received a Grammy nomination. It was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album. This album also featured Randy Napoleon, Elias Bailey, and John DiMartino.
Musical Influences and Style
Freddy Cole was inspired by many other jazz legends. Some of his influences included John Lewis, Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson, and Billy Eckstine. Freddy once said about Billy Eckstine: "He was a fantastic entertainer. I learned so much from just watching and being around him."
Randy Napoleon, his guitarist, described Freddy's musical style. He said Freddy played the piano with "elegance and careful, judicious editing." This means Freddy didn't play too many notes. Instead, he played the perfect ones that made the band sound great. His music was melodic and had a wonderful swing to it.
Death
Freddy Cole passed away on June 27, 2020. He was 88 years old. Many famous jazz artists remembered him in an article in ArtsATL.
See also
In Spanish: Freddy Cole para niños
