Kevin Cole

Kevin Cole Classical American Concert Pianist

Kevin Cole : the Definitive Interpreter of George Gershwin

In his introduction of Kevin's seventh performance with the Boston Philharmonic, Ben Zander noted to the audience, "you are about to hear the best living Gershwin pianist in the world." From Boston to Chicago to San Francisco, concert-goers and orchestras are discovering that Kevin Cole playing Gershwin absolutely "galvanizes audiences" and sells tickets because, as Daniel Cariaga of the LA Times put it in his review of Kevin's Hollywood Bowl performances, Kevin delivers, "an audacious, ear-opening performance."

So what is it about Kevin's performances that gets classical and jazz audiences jumping to their feet and hollering like hockey fans? According to Andrew Patner of the Chicago Sun-Times, Kevin is "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." Patner has it right. Kevin brings the rare and unique combination of musical genius and performance magic that moves people.


	Kevin Cole's performances, especially his interpretation of Gershwin, have prompted accolades from some of the foremost critics and songwriters in American music. Soon after Cole was graduated from Michigan's prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, he garnered the praises of legends such as Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, Hugh Martin, Burton Lane, Stephen Sondheim and members of the Jerome Kern and Gershwin families.

After hearing a very young Kevin Cole play, Irving Berlin said, "Kid, if I could play like that, I would never have become a songwriter!" Berlin may have been one of the first to recognize Cole's genius, but there have been many others since. For example:

After hearing Kevin Cole play and then conducting him with the Boston Philarmonic, Benjamin Zander noted: "Kevin Cole is the living embodiment of Gershiwin's style... the subtle rhythmic inflections, the clarity, the exhilarating ENERGY...Cole's virtuosity is breathtaking and he has the power to galvanize an audience (and an orchestra) to tremendous enthusiasm.

"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, arts critic for the Chicago Tribune.

"The virtuosic Cole...made his Hollywood Bowl debut in an audacious, ear-opening performance of "Rhapsody in Blue." ... Cole reinstated Gershwin's bracing tempos - documented in the composer's own recordings - and driving exuberance through the work ... At the end, a bowlful of Gershwin lovers hollered with approval." Daniel Cariaga, music reviewer for the Los Angeles Times.

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

"Along with his unquestionable keyboard artistry, Kevin has a very pleasant voice, which he used to give savor to some of the solo numbers." Jack Blosser, for the Flint (Michigan) Journal.

David Alan Miller, conductor, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

"But there was no doubt who stole the show: American Kevin Cole - hailed as the world's finest Gershwin pianist - making his London stage debut. His breathtaking Gershwin Medley at the start of the second Act - a kaleidoscope of numbers played with all the verve, pace and sensitivity of a great musician - went down to thunderous applause and was worth the admission price alone. " Marion Cotter, Covent Garden Life.com, in coverage of the 2001 Covent Garden Festival's "Great Gershwin" performance

"Good things come in threes. Music is melody, harmony and rhythm. Kevin Cole is a threesome too. A superb amalgamation of dazzling pianist, delightful singer and tuneful composer." Hugh Martin, composer of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"