By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond native and guitarist/vocalist George Cole will join his orchestra to bring “The Magic of Christmas” to SFJAZZ Dec. 20-22 with a fresh interpretation of Nat King Cole’s holiday classic by the same name. Advance tickets are currently on sale for $35 Friday and Saturday nights and $30 Sunday afternoon.
Cole, who grew up nearby Nicholl Park and attended Kennedy High School, told the Standard that someone suggested he cover Nat King Cole’s classic album at his returning SFJAZZ performance this year due to the musicians shared surname. The idea took hold and Cole will be performing at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St. in San Francisco.
The guitarist/vocalist and his orchestra will perform arrangements that add a contemporary flair, highlighting the jazz sensibility of the late Cole’s original recordings. Cole’s notable guitar work, vocals, and showmanship will be backed by piano, bass, drums and a horn section.
“Nat King Cole’s original recordings are known the world over for their lush orchestrations, beautiful melodies, and sophisticated harmonies. It’s a good kind of magic that lifts people up and connects us,” said Cole.
The program includes songs from Nat King Cole’s 1960 Capitol Records release “The Magic of Christmas” including, “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You),” “O Holy Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The First Noel” and “Silent Night,” alongside George Cole originals like “Sheila’s Waltz” and “You Got a Glow.”
Growing up in Richmond, Cole said he drew inspiration to first pick up the guitar after watching “The Lawrence Welk Show,” and later, listening to The Beatles.
His musical education took off locally thanks to transplants from Oklahoma and Arkansas bringing their music, as well as the influences of the city’s Black community. He often played country music early on, and got gigs around Richmond, El Sobrante, Pinole and Vallejo. Later, he worked as a guitar teacher and mentor to the likes of Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt of Green Day. “It was a wonderful education,” said Cole, who now lives in Kensington, later adding that “Richmond has so much going for it.”
These days, the BAMMIE award winner’s guitar style dances on the strings surrounding the genres of Rock & Roll, Gypsy Jazz and all things American.
Again, tickets to the expected-to-sell-out “George Cole; The Music of Nat King Cole’s ‘The Magic of Christmas’” SFJAZZ shows can be bought here. Find George Cole on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
