Shows starring
Hilary Kole
Hilary Kole
Artist Bio
Hilary Kole co- created and originated the lead female roles in the critically acclaimed, award winning Off-Broadway musicals, "Our Sinatra." (2000 MAC Award) and "Singing Astaire."
Ms. Kole has been hailed by critics as a "musical marvel!" (Rex Reed, New York Observer.) In reviewing Kole's performance in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote,"swinging...sultry....sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice...Kole locates the desperation and impatience lurking in Cole Porter's besotted lyrics." And Robert Daniels from Daily Variety said "Kole is quite the prettiest young thrush on the club circuit...it's torch singing at its apex."
Ms. Kole began her professional career at the legendary Rainbow Room as the youngest singer ever to grace the stage. From there, she appeared in a sold-out run at the famed Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, made her concert hall debut at Lincoln Center as part of the "American Songbook Series" with Jonathan Schwartz, and in June of 2007, appeared at Carnegie Hall during a Tribute to Oscar Peterson. Hilary has appeared as a headliner in New York City at Birdland, Iridium, the Jazz Standard, and at Zankel Hall with Michael Feinstein. Apart from appearing throughout the country with her two shows, "Our Sinatra" and "Singing Astaire," Hilary is also a favorite at the Continental Airlines Arena, singing the National Anthem for sporting events,as well as been featured at the 92nd Street YMHA concert series "Lyrics and Lyricists" and "Jazz in July" with pianist Dick Hyman. In 2005, Hilary debuted in Perugia, Italy, at the famed Umbria Jazz Festival, as well as the Nairn Jazz Festival in Narin, Scotland, and continued throughout Europe with concert appearances in the Valencia region of Spain.
In the past year, Hilary had the honor of recording with Jazz legands Oscar Peterson and Hank Jones, as well as master composer, Michel LeGrand. Ms. Kole has also appeared alongside Alan Broadbent, Lee Musiker, Dave Frishberg, Roger Kelloway, Tedd Firth, Houston Pearson, Harry Allen, Joel Frahm, Russel Malone, John Pizzarelli, Paul Meyers, Gene Bertoncini, Lewis Nash, Mark McLean, and Paul Gill among others.
Kole's television appearances include CNN's Showbiz Today, Fox's Good Day New York, PBS, NBC's Today in New York, as well as a half hour feature on CN8's 'One on One with Steve Adubato' in 2004.
Hilary began singing and playing the piano at age five. At twelve, she received a scholarship to attend the Walden School for music composition, where she spent her next 6 summers. Her compositions garndered three National Federation of Music Awards. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Delius Award for her work "Piano Trio No.1" which received its world premiere with the Jacksonville Symphony. Upon graduation high school, she was granted a scholarship by the Oakley Foundation to study composition at Manhattan School of Music. Hilary's compositions have been performed by the New England Brass Quintet, the Peabody Trio, and the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Vocal Ensemble, among others.
Reviews and Quotes
"Ms. Kole, sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice....Ms. Kole's 'Night and Day' locates the desperation and impatience lurking in Cole Porter's besotted lyrics."
- Stephen Holden, New York Times (Dec. 1, 2004)
"Kole is quite the prettiest young thrush on the club circuit, and her jazz-tinged phrasing gives each song a smart new frame. Her take on 'Night and Day' is sensual and serene, and 'Isn't This a Lovely Day' (To Be Caught in the Rain) makes the weather most welcome. Her jaunty scat embellishes a bright and regreshing swing turn on 'Pick Yourself Up'
- Robert Daniels, Daily Variety (Dec. 2, 2004)
"Luscious singer and vocal arranger Hilary Kole...Ms. Kole scats with the best on the jazz-flavored 'Pick Yourself Up'
- Rex Reed, New York Observer (Dec. 8, 2004)
"Of the three Ms. Kole is the strongest on the up-tempo swingers...with very modish, sophisticated arrangements by Ms. Kole. [Hilary] shines on a lightly Latin 'Night and Day.' On 'Isn't This A Lovely Day,' the sultry Ms. Kole quickly heats the raindrops into steam."
- Will Friedwald, The New York Sun (Nov. 30th, 2004)
Specialties
Ensemble & Group - vocal
Genre
jazz vocal Cabaret American Popular Standards