HOLLY COLE
Genres: Vocal Jazz, Pop, Art Song, Folk, Third Stream • Canada

Holly Jean Cole, singer (born 25 November 1963 in Halifax, NS). One of the best-selling jazz artists ever to emerge from Canada, Holly Cole is a jazz singer with a wry, sassy attitude and a deconstructive approach to her minimalist arrangements. A talented interpretive artist, Cole tends to foreground the subtext of a song while playing with genre and structure, sometimes to satirical effect. She was one of the first in a resurgence of female jazz singers interpreting contemporary pop songs, and has been especially successful in Japan. Known for her smoky contralto voice, slightly arch stage persona, and eccentric intonations and phrasings, she has had one platinum and five gold albums in Canada and won two Juno Awards for best jazz album. Early Years The daughter of CBC Radio personality Leon Cole and arts administrator Carolyn Cole — both classically trained pianists — Holly Cole grew up in a musical read more...