The 5th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is excited to present 2011 Grammy-nominated Freddy Cole as the featured performer at this year’s Gala at the Museum of Science and Industry. This one-time South-Sider jazz great was described by the New York Times as “the most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive.”
In the Chicago home of his youth, visitors included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. He also credits Billy Eckstine as a major influence. 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. According to his web site, Cole doesn’t apologize for sounding like his older brother, Nat “King” Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano and sings and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even.
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and great jazz in a spectacular setting while supporting the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. The Gala on Thursday, September 22nd will be from 6:00 – 8:30pm. Freddy Cole’s concert begins at 7:00pm. Tickets are available here.
