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"Vocal Magic"

Freddy Cole w/ Houston Person & Madeline Eastman

Saturday, April 7 • 8pm

“The most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive.” – The New York Times on Freddie Cole

Program Notes

Grammy-nominated pianist and singer Freddy Cole has been performing internationally for over 40 years, yet it is only recently that his star has risen here in his home country. A graduate of Juilliard and the New England Conservatory of Music, Cole boasts a refined, bluesy piano technique and a smoke-tinged voice. Though his older brother, Nat "King" Cole, casts a long shadow over his (and every jazz singer's) career, the youngest Cole, using the same band format as his brother (a piano trio featuring guitar and bass), has emerged with his own distinctive sound. People Magazine praised Cole's "gorgeous autumnal baritone, expressive phrasing and pitch-perfect feel for jazz standards, pop tunes and love ballads." And he's got a sense of humor to boot, as displayed on his song "I'm Not My Brother, I'm Me" from the album of the same name:

"I'm here to entertain you in my own special way/Hey, if Nat sounds like me, well, what can I say?"

His latest recording, Because of You (featuring tonight’s guest, legendary saxophonist Houston Person), is another winning set of standards that reinforces Cole's standing as one of the preeminent stylists working today.

Madeline Eastman is another vocalist who has forged a distinct style all her own. "When it comes to jazz singing, Madeline Eastman is the real deal," said the Los Angeles Times. "There's a confidence in her vocalizing that allows her to explore the gamut of this demanding musical genre.” Collaborating with such stellar players as drummer Tony Williams, pianist Cedar Walton, and saxophonist Phil Woods, Eastman has pushed the boundaries of traditional vocal jazz while paying tribute to her forebears.

She is also a devoted educator, a skill that she will draw on for her afternoon matinee performance. Eastman regularly tours Monterey County schools as part of a traveling clinician program, serves as Artistic Director for JazzCamp West, and worked as an Artist-in-Residence at Berkeley's Jazzschool.