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Hilary Kole

Long a beloved staple on the NYC jazz scene and world-renowned as a multi-faceted concert hall and symphony performer, Hilary Kole has emerged triumphantly from a difficult three-year legal struggle to put out a recording – and found her true musical heart in the process. On her new independent full-length album, the acclaimed vocalist and musician paints A Self-Portrait with illuminating stylistic brushstrokes and an expansive repertoire that takes her far beyond her storied roots as a purveyor of the Great American Songbook. Back, better than ever and baring her jazz and pop soul like never before, Hilary celebrates life free of limitations and full of optimism.

So personal and intimate that it could only be a self-produced project, A Self-Portrait – recorded and co-produced by famed engineer Jim Czak at legendary Nola Studios, where Hilary recorded her first demo at 14 – features the singer working with her longtime bandmates Paul Gill (bass), John Hart (guitar) and drummer Aaron Kimmel, along with pianists Tedd Firth, John DiMartino, and cellist Agnas Nagy. Together they uncover new emotional dimensions in tunes that she sees as personal snapshots of her life that also communicate deeper universal truths. Having always felt more connected to the sound of her live performances than to her previous studio recordings, Hilary took an organic approach to recording in line with the way she sings when an audience is present. Her interpretation extends to her own masterful arrangements of 11 of the songs. Credited also as arrangers are Firth (“Lemon Twist”), Rich DeRosa (“The Man I Love,” and co-arranged with Kole “Some Other Time”), and Misha Piatigorsky (“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”)

Those who don’t know the backstory that Hilary brings into A Self-Portrait will still experience an artist who makes fresh, freewheeling choices and whose artistry is constantly evolving and dedicated to, as she says, “opening up the vault a little.” On this collection, that translates to a spirited variety of Songbook classics and obscurities, a batch of hits from the 60s and 70s pop landscape and the glorious mid-90s inspirational gem from Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, “God Give Me Strength.” All of these are Hilary favorites that she has worked into her recent repertoire. Collectively, they parallel her personal arc these past few years from frustration and despair to determination and hope.

Songbook choices include the opening track “While We’re Young,” “When The World Was Young” (featuring English lyrics by Johnny Mercer and whose Blossom Dearie interpretation especially inspired Hilary), Cole Porter’s “It’s Alright With Me,” “I Remember You” (lyrics also by Mercer, previously recorded by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Diana Krall), the cabaret classic “Come a Little Closer,” Bobby Troup’s clever swing tune “Lemon Twist,” the Gershwins’ “The Man I Love” and the lush, melancholy closer “Some Other Time” from Leonard Bernstein’s musical On The Town. The 60s and 70s gems include Stevie Nicks’ Fleetwood Mac ballad “Landslide,” a crafty take on Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (including unexpected high-register wordless vocal runs), an understated journey down Joni Mitchell’s “River” and a heartrending take on The Beatles’ “And I Love Her.”

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Radio & Podcasts

Herbie Hancock, Hilary Kole & Dave Miller

Read "Herbie Hancock, Hilary Kole & Dave Miller" reviewed by Joe Dimino


From a musician who has been at it for decades, though a relative newcomer to the jazz scene—we start the 718th Episode of Neon Jazz with pianist and attorney Dave Miller with a song off his new ode to the pandemic with “The Mask-erade is Over." We also profile the impressive New York City singer Hilary Kole with a song off her long-awaited 2021 album Sophisticated Lady. During this hour we also look into veterans with new material like Jason ...

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Album Review

Hilary Kole: You Are There

Read "You Are There" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Vocalist Hilary Kole is more than a mere interpreter of songs. Like the great singers who came before her, Kole is a master storyteller who merges cabaret sensibilities, jazz vocal craft and a slight hint of folk charm into one appealing package. She possesses a voice that could fit naturally on a Broadway stage or in a swanky jazz club, and she puts it to good use on this all-standards affair. Kole sticks to the softer side ...

911
Interview

Hilary Kole: Versatile, Sweet and Jazzy

Read "Hilary Kole: Versatile, Sweet and Jazzy" reviewed by R.J. DeLuke


When Hilary Kole sings, she can become one of the ideal subjects for the “what is jazz singing" discussion that has gone on for decades. She sings clear and cleanly, with a sure tone and an attractive sound. She's done cabaret and her voice is perfectly suited for it. But she sings with small jazz groups and has more than a feel for that as well. And she's stood before big bands and presented jazz sure and enchanting.But ...

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Album Review

Hilary Kole: You Are There

Read "You Are There" reviewed by Larry Taylor


With her crystal clear voice and precise phrasing, singer Hilary Kole pulls off the delightful and unique You Are There. This is one of a kind, because eleven different top-of-the-line piano accompanists join her, with two appearing twice. You Are There's 13 songs are all ballads, sung passionately, simply, and with no frills. According to the liner notes, most takes were spontaneous, with no charts or rehearsal. Kole's sense of dynamics is also effective, the way she builds ...

358
Album Review

Hilary Kole: Haunted Heart

Read "Haunted Heart" reviewed by Andrew Velez


This listener can't recall in years so smashing a solo CD debut as this winner. Hilary Kole's lengthy runs in cabaret and club appearances with song revues “Our Sinatra" and “Singing Astaire," singing some of the best of the American Songbook, have served her well. The mix here is flawless, ranging from such evergreens as Rodgers-Hart's “There's A Small Hotel" to worthy but lesser known gems such as '40s swinger “'Deed I Do" and Bob Haymes' “You For Me." What's ...

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Interview

Singer Hilary Kole Interviewed at All About Jazz

Singer Hilary Kole Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: DL Media

When Hilary Kole sings, she can become one of the ideal subjects for the “what is jazz singing" discussion that has gone on for decades. She sings clear and cleanly, with a sure tone and an attractive sound. She's done cabaret and her voice is perfectly suited for it. But she sings with small jazz groups and has more than a feel for that as well. And she's stood before big bands and presented jazz sure and enchanting. But that ...

303

Performance / Tour

Hilary Kole's CD Release Concert at Birdland

Hilary Kole's CD Release Concert at Birdland

Source: AAJ Staff

Four years in the making, Hilary Kole's new album, You Are There (Justin Time), whose release was celebrated at Birdland on Monday evening, is the equivalent of a jazz singer's college education. On the recording Ms. Kole sings with 11 eminent jazz pianists: Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Alan Broadbent, Dave Brubeck, Freddy Cole, Benny Green, Steve Kuhn, Michel Legrand, Mike Renzi, Cedar Walton and Hank Jones (who died on May 16). Because every collaboration between a singer and accompanist has ...

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Performance / Tour

Hilary Kole Carrying a Torch at Birdland

Hilary Kole Carrying a Torch at Birdland

Source: Michael Ricci

Prefacing her impeccable performance of The Folks Who Live on the Hill on Wednesday evening at Birdland, Hilary Kole remarked that the approach singers take to this dream of wedded bliss, composed by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, tends to depend on age and experience.

For ingnues, she suggested, the vision of building a home on a hilltop high and raising a family is a sweetly starry-eyed encapsulation of every young couples fantasy of happily ever after. But for ...

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Performance / Tour

Hilary Kole Set for West Coast Debut at Catalina Jazz Club

Hilary Kole Set for West Coast Debut at Catalina Jazz Club

Source: Michael Ricci

Hilary Kole has been wowing audiences in the Big Apple-from her early start with the Rainbow Room Orchestra, to her celebrated starring role in “Our Sinatra" (which she co-created) at the Algonquin Hotel, with ongoing performances at the esteemed jazz club Birdland, continuing engagements at Bemelmans at the Carlyle and just about every hot jazz spot and prestigious venue in town. She has taken Tokyo by storm, receiving the Gold Disc Swing Journal Award for her debut CD “Haunted Heart;" ...

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Performance / Tour

Hilary Kole: Jazz at the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival

Hilary Kole: Jazz at the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival

Source: All About Jazz

August 2 - Two sets: 6 pm and 8 pm Cooperstown, NY -- The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival kicks off its 11th season August 2 with jazz vocalist Hilary Kole and her trio. Hilary Kole co-created and originated the lead female roles in the award-winning Off-Broadway musicals, “Our Sinatra." and “Singing Astaire.” Her first solo album Haunted Heart debuted in April. Ms. Kole has appeared as a headliner in New York City at Birdland, the Blue Note, Iridium, and at ...

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Performance / Tour

Andy Farber & His Orchestra Featuring Hilary Kole

Andy Farber & His Orchestra Featuring Hilary Kole

Source: All About Jazz

Composer and saxophonist Andy Farber will lead his 17-piece jazz orchestra at Birdland every Sunday. The Birdland residence will begin on the 16th of March 2008 with a preview on the 24th of February. In addition to newly composed works, Andy Farber & his Orchestra will play new arrangements from the American popular songbook and the world of jazz. Featured with the band will be the up and coming vocalist and composer, Miss Hilary Kole. Also along for the ride ...

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Performance / Tour

Les Paul Tonight-Mingus Big Band Tue.-Ed Palermo Plays Zappa Wed.-July 29-31 Hilary Kole at The Iridium Jazz Club

Les Paul Tonight-Mingus Big Band Tue.-Ed Palermo Plays Zappa Wed.-July 29-31 Hilary Kole  at The Iridium Jazz Club

Source: All About Jazz

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS QUARTET EVERY TUESDAY THE MINGUS BIG BAND EVERY WEDNESDAY ED PALERMO BIG BAND PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA Every Sunday Starting at 11:00AM Gospel Jazz Brunch in NYC featuring BISHOP NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY, JR. AND THE GOSPEL JUBILEE This Week at The Iridium Thursday, July 28 “All MAC Jazz" (The Manhattan Association Of Cabarets ...

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Performance / Tour

Hilary Kole at the Iridium Jazz Club July 29-July 31

Hilary Kole at the Iridium Jazz Club July 29-July 31

Source: All About Jazz

July 5, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM July 29-July 31 HILARY KOLE LEE MUSIKER, DEAN JOHNSON About Hilary Kole Hilary Kole is currently starring in the hit musical revue, “Singing Astaire", which she co-wrote and arranged with Eric Comstock and Christopher Gines. The revue has been playing to sold-out crowds for several months ...

“..Kole is about as polished as they come without losing a whit of warmth. Her vocal range and control remain astonishing. If anything the lady’s instrument- and make no mistake, she has an instrument, is riper and more appealing.” Theater Pizzazz

“… her smooth melodic lines have never been so consistently infused with literary subtext, which spells the difference between sounding pretty, and having something to say.” - Stephen Holden —The New York Times

“A pure voice that flows as easily as burnished notes from a muted trumpet …” - David Finkle —Huffington Post

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Judy Garland...

Miranda Music
2016

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A Self-Portrait

Miranda Music
2014

buy

Moments Like This

Victor Entertainment
2012

buy

You Are There

Justin Time Records
2010

buy

Haunted Heart

Justin Time Records
2009

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Videos

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