Email
Print
FeedSpree Music with E. Lovria: George Cole
Every once in a while, I like to step outside of my musical comfort zone to discover other musical talent. It’s refreshing and invigorating to take a chance on a show and see a veteran artist who doesn't appear on my typical playlist. One such musician is George Cole, who will bring his particular brand of jazz and swing to the Sportmans Tavern on Wednesday, January 4.
A legend in his own right, Cole has been involved in the music business, wearing an array of hats, since the 1970s. Most often you would find him performing, but he wasn’t against composing, producing and sharing his talent as an instructor teaching guitar to prominent performers such as Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt of Green Day. But his true love is music from the great American songbook of the 1930s and he admits that he “always secretly liked his parent’s music,” including well-known artists like Frank Sinatra, Django Reinhardt, and Bing Crosby. But it was Benny Goodman who has influenced Cole the most, and to this day, when he’s musically conflicted he asks, “What would Benny do?” How does this work for him? “When I ask myself that, I always get my answer.”
Like his idol, Cole promises to put on a dynamite show that may warm your heart and soul like chicken noodle soup. Performing is his job and like any master in a particular craft, he dresses up and makes the most of his time with his audience. Cole states that he wants his audience to “feel like they just had a mini-vacation. If they spend two hours in a snow storm, hired a babysitter, and paid for dinner, that the show was worth it.” His fingers masterfully dance across the strings and his voice is relaxing as a good cup of tea and honey. I quickly found myself snapping along with his songs as they took me to a place away from all my worries and concerns.
Cole also makes sure the best of the best join him on tour, complementing his style and skill. This time around Hale Baskin backs him on vocals, Nancy Quo on violin, Jimmy Grant on rhythm guitar, and Christopher Baskin on bass. Tickets are currently on sale for $10 and show begins at 7 pm.
Elizabeth Lovria is a graduate of Lake Shore Central Schools and Syracuse University. She resides in Hamburg with her husband and their daughter.
