If the only "Coles " you know are Nat and Natalie, you are missing a treat. Freddie Cole is a crackerjack, hard-swinging pianist and a singer with an insinuating, smoky voice that puts you in the mood to savor the night, the music and the jazz. Yes, this Freddie Cole is the brother of legendary Nat "King" Cole and the uncle of Natalie, but make no mistake about it, he has his own mellow, expressive sound and engaging personality.

Along with precise phrasing and strong swing, Cole communicated comfortably with the audience at Birdland. He has an intimate, somewhat frayed singing style that subtly elicits the poignancy of, "How Do You Say Auf Wiedersehn?" and flavors with a comfortable, bluesy drawl, the story in, "Music, Maestro, Please," with its ending lines of, "No more memories/Swing out/ Tonight I must forget …" Lovely and wistful.

While Cole keeps his hand on the songwriters' intent, he inserts his own character into the piece. He boosts the ballad, "I See Your Face Before Me" into a lighthearted up-tempo, delivers, "What Are You Afraid Of," with a sly, sophisticated charm, swings a snappy, determined, "I Will Wait For You," and speeds ahead with "Little Girl."

Cole leads a knockout trio, including guitarist Randy Napoleon, drummer Curtis Boyd and bassist Elias Bailey, with whom he scores playing a spare, "They Didn't Believe Me". Napoleon displays some meticulous guitar finger work in songs like "Let There Be Love" and "If I Love Again": In the latter, Cole sings the verse a cappella and then gently brings in the other instruments, highlighting the song's tender spirit.

Freddie Cole commented that his show will be "All songs, very little chatter." That works for him. Freddie Cole's way with songs, elegant and breezy, is always worth a visit.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
December 19, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org