Freddie Cole

Biography

Freddie Cole, born Lionel Frederick Cole on October 15, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, emerged from a family deeply rooted in music—his elder brother was the legendary Nat 'King' Cole. Freddie began his professional recording career in 1952 with the single 'The Joke’s on Me' and gradually built a reputation performing in Manhattan clubs while supplementing his income with commercial jingle work. A classically trained pianist who studied at Juilliard, Cole developed a distinctive style that, while reminiscent of his brother’s, was marked by a raspier, jazzier vocal timbre and phrasing more akin to Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday.

Cole’s career flourished internationally in the 1970s, especially in Europe, where he recorded several albums and expanded his repertoire to include songs in multiple languages. Settling in Atlanta in 1972, he led a touring quartet and became a fixture on the jazz circuit, admired for his suave, elegant vocals and sophisticated piano work. Despite not achieving the same level of mainstream fame as his brother, Freddie Cole was widely respected among jazz musicians and fans, earning Grammy nominations and induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. His discography includes notable albums such as 'I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me' (1991), 'Merry Go Round' (2000), and 'Rio de Janeiro Blue' (2001), each showcasing his unique blend of jazz, blues, and vocal artistry.

Cole’s legacy is defined by his consistency, professionalism, and ability to connect with audiences worldwide. He mentored younger musicians in his bands and inspired countless vocalists with his understated yet deeply expressive approach. Freddie Cole passed away on June 27, 2020, in Atlanta, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of the most maturely expressive male jazz singers of his generation.

Fun Facts

• Freddie Cole was the youngest of five children in a legendary musical family that included Nat 'King' Cole.
• He began his career recording commercial jingles for television and radio in New York before gaining wider recognition as a jazz artist.
• Cole was fluent in several languages and often sang in Portuguese and Spanish, reflecting his love for Brazilian and Latin music.
• Despite his famous surname, Freddie Cole titled one of his albums 'I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me' to assert his own artistic identity.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Nat 'King' Cole - Elder brother and early influence; Freddie was inspired by Nat's musicianship and career path. (Family performances, stylistic influence throughout career) [1930s–1965]
• Frank Sinatra - Stylistic influence; Freddie's phrasing and timing were often compared to Sinatra's. (General vocal approach, not direct collaboration) [1950s–1970s]
• Billie Holiday - Influence on phrasing and jazz vocal style. (General stylistic influence) [1950s–1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Jerry Byrd - Longtime guitarist in Freddie Cole's quartet. (Merry Go Round, Rio de Janeiro Blue, live tours) [1990s–2020]
• Curtis Boyd - Drummer in Cole's regular touring and recording groups. (Merry Go Round, Rio de Janeiro Blue, live tours) [1990s–2020]
• Herman Burney - Bassist in Cole's quartet. (Merry Go Round, live performances) [2000s]
• Jane Monheit - Guest jazz vocalist on 'In the Name of Love.' (In the Name of Love (2003)) [2003]
• Cedar Walton - Pianist/arranger featured on 'Merry Go Round.' (Merry Go Round (2000)) [2000]
• Angel 'Papo' Vazquez - Trombonist featured on 'Rio de Janeiro Blue.' (Rio de Janeiro Blue (2001)) [2001]

Artists Influenced

• Elias Bailey - Bassist who credited Cole as a mentor in professionalism and jazz performance. (Touring band, live performances) [2010s]
• Bernard Linnette - Drummer who began his professional career with Cole and learned jazz craft under his guidance. (Live performances, touring band) [Late 1970s–1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Never, Never, Never (This and That)
2. My Mood Is You (My Mood Is You)
3. This Time I'm Gone for Good (Singing the Blues)
4. Waiter, Ask The Man To Play The Blues (Waiter, Ask the Man to Play the Blues)
5. Sunday Kind Of Love (This Is The Life)
6. I Loved You (One More Love Song)
7. I’ll Always Leave the Door a Little Open (My Mood Is You)
8. My First Impression of You (Talk to Me)
9. Easy To Love (This Is The Life)
10. Almost in Love (My Mood Is You)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia