Kevin Cole

 

Kevin Cole, America’s Pianist, is the top performer of works from The Great American Songbook and concert works of their great American composers. He delights audiences with a repertoire including the best of 20th Century American music.

Cole’s performances in general and his interpretation of George Gershwin in particular have prompted accolades from many of America’s most prominent music critics. He is regarded as the foremost interpreter of George Gershwin compositions according to members of the Gershwin family, Howard Reich of The Chicago Tribune, Gershwin biographer Ed Jablonski,  and composer Hugh Martin to list only a few who share this opinion. 

"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."
 —Howard Reich, The Chicago Tribune

 

About Kevin.

Born in Bay City, Michigan, Cole graduated from the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy. Soon afterward, he began a history of garnering personal praise from legends like Irving, Berlin, Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg, Hugh Martin, Burton Lane, and Stephen Sondheim as well as members of both the Jerome Kern and George/Ira Gershwin families. 


"Kid, if I could have played piano like that, I would never have become a song writer!"                                                       -Irving Berlin


Kevin performing at the Hollywood Bowl

Kevin Cole’s symphonic engagements include sold-out performances with Los Angeles Philharmonic (Hollywood Bowl), National Symphony (Kennedy Center, Washington, D. C.), BBC Concert Orchestra (Royal Albert Hall, London), Philharmonia Orchestra (London), Cincinnati Pops, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony, Edmonton Symphony (Canada), The Gilmore Keyboard Festival (Michigan), Indianapolis Symphony, Qualcomm Hall (California), and many others.

Festival appearances as featured soloist include Millennium Park (Chicago), Grant Park (Chicago), First Annual George and Ira Gershwin Festival (Oceanside, CA), Minnesota Orchestra Music Fest, and Ravinia Festival (Chicago).  Cole’s first appearance at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival was named one of the ten best concerts of the year by the Chicago Tribune. His performance with the Minnesota Orchestra was selected one of the ten best of the year by the Minneapolis Star.

 

What the Critics Say.

So, just what is it about Kevin Cole performances that brings classical and jazz audiences alike jumping to their feet and shouting out like hockey fans?

 "Kevin Cole is the living embodiment of Gershwin's style. His virtuosity is breathtaking and he has the power to galvanize an audience to tremendous enthusiasm."   —Benjamin Zander, The Boston Philharmonic

Kevin at Royal Albert Hall, London


"Kevin is the best Gershwin pianist since Gershwin himself—no one can touch him."
   —Edward Jablonski, author of the Encyclopedia of American Music

"A piano genius...he reveals an understanding of harmony, rhythmic complexity and pure show-biz virtuosity that would have had Vladimir Horowitz smiling with envy."
   —Andrew Patner, The Chicago Sun-Times

Kevin performing at the State Theatre, Bay City, Michigan

Concert Schedule.


  • October 6, 2012
 —            Louisiana Symphony                                                                                                                                             New Orleans, LA
 
  • October 14, 2012
 —          Midland Theatre 
                                                          Newark, OH              

  • October 17, 2012 —           Sottile Theatre                                                                                                                                                        Charleston, S.C.

  • October 20, 21, 2012—   Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra                                                                                                                        Harrisburg, PA

  • October 27, 2012
 —          Steifel Performing Arts Center
                                                                  Salina, KS

  • October 28, 2012 —         Lied Performing Arts Center
                                                            University of Kansas
                                                                   Lawrence, KS

  • November 2, 2012—       Florida Orchestra                                                         
                                                                    Tampa, FL

  • November 3,2012
 —        Florida Orchestra
                                                                    St. Petersburg, FL
 
      •  November 4, 2012 —      Florida Orchestra  
Clearwater, FL


 Kevin with Marvin Hamlisch


Repertoire.

Works for piano and orchestra

George Gershwin

  • Concerto in F
  • Rhapsody in Blue
  • New York Rhapsody
  • Variations on "I Got Rhythm"

Leroy Anderson
  • Concerto in C Major

Dana Suesse
  • Concerto in Three Rhythms

Duke Ellington 
  • New World A-Comin'

James P. Johnson
  • Yamekraw - Rhapsody In Black

Jerome Kern
  • Suite from SWING TIME

Richard Addinsell
  • Warsaw Concerto


Complete repertoire of the Great American Composers & Songwriters, including:
  • Harold Arlen
  • Irving Berlin
  • Hoagy Carmichael
  • Duke Ellington
  • George Gershwin
  • Marvin Hamlisch
  • Jerome Kern
  • Burton Lane
  • Hugh Martin
  • Johnny Mercer
  • Cole Porter
  • Richard Rodgers
  • Arthur Schwartz
  • Harry Warren
  • Vincent Youmans

Orchestra Programs
  • Gershwin On Parade
  • True Blue Americans - The Music of George Gershwin and Leroy Anderson
  • Hooray for Hollywood - Golden Moments from the Silver Screen
  • World on a String - The Music of Harold Arlen 
  • Broadway Rhapsody
  • City Boys - Gould and Gershwin

Solo Programs
  • Kevin Cole and The American Masters of Song
  • Cole Plays Gershwin 
  • World On A String - The Music of Harold Arlen
  • In the Words of Ira - The Songs of Ira Gershwin

    Specialty Programs
    • A Cole Christmas
    • Christmas for Two with Sylvia McNair
    • 88 Key Salute - A July 4th Celebration
    • The Great American Songbook with The Carolyn Mawby Chorale



Recordings.



Kevin Cole
In the Words of Ira: The Songs of Ira Gershwin
$20



Kevin Cole and
Sylvia McNair
Christmas from the Heart
$20



Kevin Cole -
Piano
A Cole Christmas
$20



Kevin Cole
Cole Plays
Gershwin
$20


Contact Kevin.

Management:

Manager
manager.kevincole@gmail.com

Kevin Cole Fan Club:

Barbara Brill
bbrill2@juno.com

Sign up for the Newsletter >>