Freddy Cole JAMM Benefit a HUGE Success!

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Freddy Cole at JAMM Fundraiser

Freddy Cole JAMM Benefit Concert was a huge success! JAMM added $725 to our coffers and made many new friends!

Lionel Frederick Cole was born the youngest of Edward and Paulina Nancy Cole’s five children. His three elder brothers, Eddie, Ike and Nat (twelve years Freddy’s senior) were all musicians taught by their mother.

Though Freddy was born in Chicago, he is now a 35-year native son and international celebrity of Atlanta. Freddy moved to New York in 1951, where he studied at the Juilliard School of Music and found himself profoundly influenced by John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson.

He got a Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music and then spent several months on the road as a member of Earl Bostic’s band that also included Johnny Coles and Benny Golson. It was back in New York that Freddy 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 work. Freddy recorded several albums for European and English companies during the 1970s that helped him develop a loyal overseas following. Cole believes that becoming an international favorite made him “widen my scope a little bit.”

He developed a stand-up act, a better rapport with audiences, and learned to sing in other languages.

“It made me much more a performer.”

A resident of Atlanta since 1972, he currently leads a quartet on piano and vocals with guitarist Randy Napoleon, bassist Elias Bailey, and drummer Quentin Baxter, that regularly tours the US, Europe, the Far East, South America and South Africa.

Freddy has been a recording artist since 1952, when his first single, “The Joke’s on Me,” was released on an obscure Chicago-based label.While there are certain unmistakable similarities in timbre to his brother Nat, his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. In truth, his phrasing is far closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother, and his timing swings even more. His vocals – suave, elegant, formidable, sometimes spoken and articulate – make him the most respected lyrical storyteller in jazz.

Cole’s career continues to ascend as he has moved into the front ranks of America’s homegrown art form with a style and musical sophistication all his own.

Freddy Cole, brother of Nat King Cole, to appear at JAMM Fundraiser!

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Freddy Cole, shown here with well-known jazz guitarist and educator, Randy Napoleon.

 

International recording artist Freddy Cole will pay a special visit to East Lansing soon! He sings as well as plays the piano, upright bass and guitar. His successful career has spanned five decades and is still flourishing today.

We hope to hear a song or two from his latest CD, honoring his late brother, the wonderful Nat King Cole. The title is “He Was the King.”

MSU Professor and jazz guitarist Randy Napoleon helped make all this happen. He tours regularly with Mr. Cole and will be playing, as well. at this show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This special event is on Wednesday, August 22nd 7-8:30 pm. Tickets for the first show sold out so quickly that a second show has been added, starting at 9 pm. Use the same link below if interested in attending that show. Student tickets are being offered for this second show only at a cost of $10 each.

Location:
1267 Lakeside Drive, East Lansing

Tickets: $35
Student Tickets, 9pm show only: $10

Purchase tickets here.

Proceeds from this special show will benefit the Sandy Izenson JAMM Scholarship Fund, given each year to a high school student to pursue their jazz studies after graduation.

Member and Donor Responses Tremendous!

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Voting ends at midnight July 30. Input and replies from members and donors has been truly wonderful and exciting. As of the 29th, we literally have no idea who the choice will be.

How cool is that? It’s an indication of the vast range of knowledge among our members, and a great appreciation for the jazz community all around them.

The winner will be announced live at the JAMM Scholarship Group’s
Lansing Jazz Festival performance on Saturday, Aug. 4th at 4:30.
See full schedule and details at link above. One last time, these are the finalists:

Gary Allen-nominated for his contributions to jazz, his mastery of guitar and for the lives he’s influenced. Through the love of his art, and his affable, inclusive personality, Gary is generous with his music and his encouragement. He is a seasoned master jazz musician and a good friend to many. A Founding Member of JAMM, he has been a Stockbridge, MI resident for the past several years, Gary has played all over the country and in Europe in bands big and small, and has rubbed shoulders or played with such jazz masters as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Paul Gonsalves, Ira Sullivan, David Sanborn and more. For a series he created at the Stockbridge Public Library, where residents appreciate him very much, Gary has discussed episodes of his own life in music as well as selected aspects, eras and artists of jazz and blues. A portion of every session has been devoted to Gary playing a few tunes for an appreciative audience on his 1952 Gibson electric guitar.

Jeff Shoup-nominated for founding the series, “Jazz Tuesdays at Moriarty’s Pub” and his weekly stewardship of stellar jazz musicians featured each week. Besides being an MSU Jazz Studies graduate and a great jazz drummer, Jeff has spent countless hours supporting JAMM by working with the Board to host the JAMM Member Mixer on the Second Tuesday in January, organizing the 2013 JAMM Tribute Honoree Concert for his mentor and teacher Randy Gelispie, and, as artistic director of Lansing JazzFest, making sure that the JAMM Scholarship Band and the current JAMM Tribute Honoree get a gig each year.

Mike Stratton-nominated for his extraordinary support of the jazz community in Mid-Michigan and beyond. A Founding Member of JAMM, Mike has given of his time emceeing at jazz festivals for many years. He has been educating audiences on radio, a voluntary role, on LCC Radio for 21-plus years on a weekly basis on LCC Radio, with his Vinyl Side of Midnight program. Live on Sunday nights, the show has a vast listenership in mid-Michigan and beyond. Thanks to the Internet and the rebroadcast of his show on Taintradio.org., Mike gives exposure to countless mid-Michigan musicians through interviews on his show and playing of their music. He’s a lifelong student of jazz, always aware of who has a new CD or is doing something groundbreaking. The love and knowledge of jazz history in Mike’s heart and mind are almost enviable!

Thank you very much to all of you who submitted nominations for the 2019 JAMM Tribute Honoree. As a result of a blind, weighted vote, the current JAMM Board and Past JAMM Tribute Honorees have whittled that list of names sent in down to these three deserving individuals:

Gary Allen, Jeff Shoup, and Mike Stratton
Congratulations to all three of you!

 

If you are a 2018 JAMM Member or Donor, you will be receiving an email shortly to vote for your top choice to be 2019’s JAMM Tribute Honoree. The celebration will be held in November. Details forthcoming.

If you are not sure you are a paid and up-to-date member, email jazzjamm2018@gmail.com to find out. To become a member or to renew a past membership, visit www.jazzjamm.org. Simple, easy process.