AN AFTERNOON WITH KEVIN COLE
America's pianist and Steinway Artist Kevin Cole has delighted audiences with a repertoire that includes the best of 20th Century American Music. Originally from Bay City, Kevin Cole's performances, especially his interpretation of Gershwin, have prompted accolades from some of the foremost critics in America. "When Cole sits down at the piano, you would swear Gershwin himself was at work...Cole stands as the best Gershwin pianist in America today," wrote Howard Reich, arts critic for the Chicago Tribune.
Engagements for Mr. Cole include: sold-out performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl; San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra (London); Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony; BBC Concert Orchestra (Covent Garden Festival); Cincinnati Pops (Erich Kunzel conducting); Interlochen Center for the Arts (Michigan) and the Ravinia Festival (Chicago, IL).
Kevin Cole is an award winning musical director, arranger, composer, vocalist and archivist who has garnered the praises of Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, E.Y.Harburg, Hugh Martin, Burton Lane, Stephen Sondheim and members of the Jerome Kern and Gershwin families.
His discography includes critically acclaimed Lady Be Good: First Recordings of the Unknown George Gershwin (Pro Arte) and Gramophone Musical Album of the Year, 1995, Gershwin's Oh, Kay! with soprano Dawn Upshaw (Elektra/Nonesuch). He also recorded four discs for Yamaha's Disklavier Pianos.
A Cole Christmas was released in December. Kevin currently has two CDs: The Song Is You with the Carolyn Mawby Chorale and his solo piano disc Cole Plays Gershwin.
QUOTES;
" When's that boy coming back? I love the way he plays my songs"
Harold Arlen
After hearing Kevin Cole play and then conducting him with the Boston Philharmonic, Benjamin Zander noted: "Kevin Cole is the living embodiment of Gershwin's style... the subtle rhythmic inflections, the clarity, the exhilarating ENERGY...Cole's virtuosity is breathtaking and he has the power to galvanize an audience (and an orchestra) to tremendous enthusiasm.
Kevin is the best Gershwin pianist since Gershwin himself - no one can touch him." Edward Jablonski, author of the Encyclopedia of American Music and renowned Gershwin scholar.
"Along with his unquestionable keyboard artistry, Kevin has a very pleasant voice, which he used to give savor to some of the solo numbers." Jack Blosser, for the Flint Journal.
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