Last week, I went to hear Freddy Cole at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center. I’ve been a fan of his for several years, and through my friend and his guitarist, Randy Napoleon, I’ve come to know him.

Freddy is an amazing and tasteful pianist, but this was the first time I’ve seen him stand and sing with another musician (John di Martino) at the keys. Dressed in a fine suit, he amiably and expertly sang to the rapt crowd. He is a joy to watch and listen to, because he is, as Todd Barkan said as he introduced him, a storyteller.

And the stories he chooses to tell…. well, the songs are gems. How many times have we heard the Gershwin standard “Someone to Watch Over Me”? In Freddy’s hands, it was brand new again – if only he had someone… and we ached for him.

Here’s the set list -

Because of You
This Love of Mine
Someone to Watch Over Me
The Continental
Live for Life
Wild as Love
It Could Happen to You
You Must Believe in Spring
What Now, My Love?

Freddy is, of course, the younger brother of Nat “King” Cole. Though he has many similarities, Freddy is his own man – and musician. Check him out! Or leave a comment about what you love to hear him sing…