Alexis Cole Infos

Hi Folks –We’ve just added the gorgeous new singer Alexis Cole to our roster.  Alexis has six albums out, one on Motema and two on Venus (Japan).  Her seventh album is releasing on Motema this October as part of the Pepper Adams project (details shortly).  We think Alexis is ready to pop on the scene as her live performances and recent albums have been absolutely exceptional.  Below are song samples, a brief bio and really strong reviews from major journalists.  We’ll be announcing routed tour dates shortly for smaller theaters and clubs.  So get to know Alexis and let us know when your preferred dates are to bring her to your venue.Alexis is part of our « Signature Series Roster » – artists who are exceptional and know how to excite an audience.  You have our signature on it.

Steve FrumkinAlexis Cole

« So This Is Love » from « Someday My Prince Will Come » Venus 2009 (mp3 sample)

With a voice praised as “a deep contralto as smooth and dark as the richest espresso” (Jazz Times, November 2007,) award-winning jazz vocalist Alexis Cole has made an impressive impact on audiences ever since she first took the stage as a teenager.Winner of the 2007 Jazzmobile competition and an award recipient of the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, Alexis was cited as « a rising star in the jazz world” by Hot House Magazine.

With six records so far, Alexis Cole is on her way to becoming the next great singer.

Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times says “Cole’s easy sense of swing is strongly reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan”.  Ernest Barteldes for AllAboutJazz writes “Cole’s voice is inspired”.  While Scott Yanow states “Alexis Cole grows in power, maturity and depth each year.  She continues to have unlimited potential.”

Born in New York City, and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL,  Alexis came from a musical family on both sides, so it was only natural that she had begun to perform at the Ritz Hotel in South Beach when still in high school, rapidly earning a reputation as one of the most talented young singers in town. After graduating from the New World School of the Arts- a prestigious performing arts HS and College, She went on to enroll in the University of Miami’s Jazz Studies program with the help of a Young Arts Scholarship, and finished her undergraduate studies under the tutelage of Rufus Reid and Nancy Marano at William Paterson University in NJ, and her graduate studies with Antonio Hart and David Berkman at Queens College in NY.

Alexis released her first CD in 1999, a duo project with Blue Note recording artist, pianist Harry Pickens, titled for the Bill Evans composition « Very Early ».  In 2004 she released a second CD « Nearer the Sun » (Canopy Jazz) and began to perform frequently at clubs throughout New York City, including The Oak Room, Dizzy’s Club, The 55 Bar, The Zinc Bar, Smoke, Smalls and Sweet Rhythm. As her performing career took wing, Alexis traveled across Europe, Asia and South America. She was a guest faculty member at the Berklee College of Music in Quito, Ecuador, and entertained audiences during several three-month-long residencies at the Tableaux Jazz Lounge in Tokyo.
« Someday My Prince Will Come » from Someday My Prince Will Come » Venus 2009 (mp3 sample)

Inspired by her travels, Alexis dedicated the better part of the next two years to producing « The Greatest Gift – Songs of the Season », (Motéma Music 2009) a holiday album featuring over 50 musicians including a children’s choir, strings, and Cole’s father- composer and vocalist/pianist Mark Finkin.  The album raises awareness and funds for World Bicycle Relief.  All About Jazz describes Cole’s singing on the album. « …warm and rich vocals, so emotive they register in the keys of love and gratitude. »Her two recent releases for Venus Records, « Someday My Prince Will Come » (2009) and « You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To » (2010) were both produced by Todd Barkan of the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Prince, an album of Disney love songs for grown ups, features a stellar group including Fred Hersch, Matt Wilson and Gregoire Maret, and You’d Be So Nice is a collaboration with the band One For All featuring Eric Alexander and David Hazeltine.

Most recently, Alexis has added the position of lead vocalist for the West Point Band’s Jazz Knights, the U.S. Military Academy big band, to her eclectic resume.

This is one singer you’ll want to pay attention to.  As the infamous jazz publication Swing Journal states, “We’ve been waiting for the next great singer to come along, and finally… Alexis.”
« Let Me Be Good To You from « Someday My Prince Will Come » Venus 2009 (mp3 sample)
« Golden Earings » from « You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To » Venus 2010 (mp3 sample)
« I Will Wait For You » from « You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To » Venus 2010 (mp3 sample)

Jazz Times Review « Someday My Prince Will Come » (pdf)
AllAboutJazz Review « Someday My Prince Will Come (pdf)
LA Jazz Times Review « Someday My Prince Will Come (pdf)
Alexis Cole Quotes (pdf)