THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE ON EARTH WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROPERLY CELEBRATE THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE LEGENDARY NAT “KING” COLE. YOUNGER BROTHER OF 12 YEARS, FREDDY COLE, IS ONE OF THEM, HAVING THE VOCAL STYLE, UPBRINGING AND MUSICAL CLASS THAT CARRIES ON THE COLE NAME.
THIS YEAR, FREDDY IS DOING A “100 YEAR LEGACY” TOUR WITH HIS SON LIONEL ON DRUMS. USUALLY KNOWN FOR SINGING SONGS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH HIS BROTHER, FREDDY IS GIVING A SECOND LOOK TO SONGS THAT HAVE BECOME STANDARDS.
WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH MR. COLE, WHO WAS AS WARM AND SINCERE IN CONVESATION AS HE IS IN SINGING VOICE
LET’S START WITH YOUR EARLY DAYS.
YOUR CAREER INCLUDED A STINT WITH ALTO SAXIST EARL BOSTIC. JOHNNY COLES AND BENNY GOLSON WERE IN THAT R&B BAND!
I did a some one nighters with him for a few weeks. I’m still friends with Benny Golson, whenever I can see him. He’s a good guy. We go way back.
As to his band, I’m not one to put a label on the music; all I know is that he could flat-out play and was well respected.
I was also friends with Johnny Coles. JC! He played also with Mingus and Ray Charles.
WHAT WAS YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH GROVER WASHINGTON?
Grover was my man; a great musician. He was the one who opened up the door for a national recording contract for me. He let me record on All My Tomorrows. He was nominated for a Grammy on that one.
YOU ALSO WROTE JINGLES FOR TV SHOWS AND COMMERCIALS AT ONE TIME.
It was just part of getting up and going to work every day, and doing the best I could
YOUR ENTIRE CAREER HAS STEERED CLEAR OF YOUR OLDER BROTHER NAT, EVEN TITLING ONE ALBUM I’M NOT MY BROTHER. WAS THIS A CONSCIOUS DECISION?
At one time I was foolish enough not to do anything of his. I wasn’t accomplishing anything by doing that, so once I opened up my mind and head to playing his music I let the chips fall where they may.
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“At one time I was foolish enough not to do anything of (Nat’s). I wasn’t accomplishing anything by doing that, so once I opened up my mind and head to playing his music I let the chips fall where they may”
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THERE WERE 12 YEARS BETWEEN YOU TWO. WAS THE RELATIONSHIP CLOSE GROWING UP OR DID YOU HAVE DIFFERENT WORLDS.
We didn’t have different worlds. He was a great lover of sports, and that was right down my alley. I would travel with him sometimes. It was a good brother to brother relationship.
I used to play basketball, football, baseball and even shoot marbles! (laughs)
YOUR BROTHER HAS TURNED INTO A CULTURAL ICON. WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT APPRECIATE ABOUT HIM AT THIS 100Th YEAR CELEBRATION?
There was a world apart from his musical image and his being a man. There wasn’t a finer man that you’d ever want to meet. He and my father were two of the finest people I’d ever known.
WHAT DID HE AND YOUR FATHER INSTILL INTO YOU?
Respect.
YOU ALSO DID AN ALBUM DEDICATED TO BILLY ECKSTINE. DID YOU KNOW HIM VERY WELL?
Yes, and he was one of my favorite people, although I never played with him.
He was best known for his class and demeanor. He’d always help you if you needed a hand.
That album was to show my respect to Mr. B.
HOW IS IT TO DELVE INTO YOUR BROTHER’S SONGBOOK AT THIS STAGE IN YOUR CAREER?
Over the years I’ve played several tunes of his, and some people listening didn’t realize that they were Nat Cole songs, because he recorded so many. It’s harder not to play his music.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINGERS FROM YOUR GENERATION AS COMPARED TO TODAY?
There’s a big difference, but it’s difficult to explain what people hear. I’ll just leave it like it is and hope they sound good! (laughs)
WHAT ABOUT YOUR VERY FIRST ALBUM, WAITER, ASK THE MAN TO PLAY THE BLUES.
That was on Dot Records. We did it in New York, and it was a lot of fun. I’ve always liked the blues.
YOU PLAY SOME PRETTY OBSCURE OLD SONGS. HOW DO YOU FIND THEM? FROM THE MEMORIES OF YOUR YOUTH?
Yes, some of them are songs that I remember listening to, and it’s fun digging up some of these older ones.
YOUR BROTHER USED TO TOUR WITH BLUES LEGEND CHARLES BROWN. DID YOU EVER MEET HIM?
Oh, yes. Charles used to come over to our house in Atlanta, and we’d always have a Christmas party.
IT’S INTERESTING HOW YOU THREE HAVE A SIMILAR STYLE, AS WELL AS LIKE MINDED GUITARISTS.
Charles’ guitarist was Johnny Moore, and Nat’s was his brother Oscar Moore. My guitarist Randy Napoleon is a different thing altogether, as he plays all kinds of things, while the Moores played alternative blues.
DURING THIS NAT COLE “LEGACY” TOUR, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING YOU WANT TO CONVEY TO THE AUDIENCE?
I call it “an invitation to relaxation.” (laughs) Just sit back, relax and listen to the music.
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“I call it “an invitation to relaxation.” (laughs) Just sit back, relax and listen to the music”
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IT’S IMPRESSIVE THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER ALL OF THESE SONGS. DO YOU DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO KEEP ALL OF THOSE LYRICS TOGETHER? DO YOU DO EXERCISES?
No, but I hope and pray every day! (laughs)
It is hard to remember all of those songs, but you can’t just stop in the middle of the song. You’ve got to keep on going.
ANY BOOKS, PHILOSOPHY’S OR RELGIONS THAT HAVE GUIDED YOU?
No, I keep an open mind on all of those things.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FUTURE GOALS?
To keep on keepin’ on! (laughs)
FREDDY COLE IS CURRENTLY ON TOUR IN THE WEST COAST KEEPING THE FLAME OF HIS BROTHER ALIVE. HE’LL BE AT VIBRATO GRILL JUNE 3RD. CHECK OUT WHEN HE’S COMING TO YOUR TOWN AND LISTEN TO SOME MUSICAL HISTORY!