“My View” written by Stephen Sorokoff
Kole took the stage and from the first note the highly judgmental and very knowledgeable audience was held spellbound by the voice, the musical mastery, and the physical presence of a truly wonderful artist.
This was in the 1960’s, and as a young pianist in the Catskill Mountains I was awestruck by the singer/actor Robert Kole, who was a “Big Broadway Star” having replaced Larry Kert in the original West Side Story.
Last night in 2012, Hilary Kole took the stage at Below54 and the same thing happened to me. Hilary is one of those rare singers who Jazz aficionados dig, but who can also entertain and captivate a cabaret audience. Sometimes vocalists who have a high degree of schooled ability tend not to communicate and wind up singing for the musicians in the crowd. Hilary’s music gets to everybody. Her song list had you mesmerized by her romantic ballads or swinging to her up tempos, and her top flight band reflected the fact that she’s a formidable musician herself.
I’m sure Robert Kole is quite proud that his daughter has so successfully kept the music playing.
The band: Piano/Arranger-Misha Piatigorsky, Guitar-John Hart, Bass-Paul Gill, Cello Rubin Kodeheli, Drums- Chris Wabach
Stephen Sorokoff reunited with Robert Kole
Hilary Kole is appearing at 54 Below August 14 -18 at 8:30 PM and August 17, 18 at 11 PM
Photos: Stephen Sorokoff
Hilary Kole w, Linda Lavin and husband, Eda Sorokoff
Posted by Sandi Durell
on August 16, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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