Eddie Cole, a renowned American jazz musician, professionally known as Edward Bennett Coles, was the esteemed older brother of the iconic Nat "King" Cole. Born in the year 1910 in Montgomery, Alabama, he was the initial child of Reverend Edward J. Cole and Perlina Adams, a family of significant importance in the world of jazz.
In the year 1923, his family made a pivotal decision to relocate to Chicago, a city that would play a crucial role in shaping his musical journey. It was during this period that he dedicated himself to the study of piano and bass, laying the foundation for his future success.
By the time he had reached the age of 17, Eddie Cole had already demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by organizing his own band, a testament to his unwavering passion for music and his natural talent.
Eddie Cole, a talented musician, had the extraordinary privilege of collaborating with his younger brother, the renowned Nat "King" Cole, during the late 1930s. This remarkable opportunity allowed him to record his initial credited records as a bandleader, which were made in conjunction with Nat "King" Cole's late-'30s ensemble, the Rogues of Rhythm. Throughout his career, Eddie Cole had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of the most exceptional musicians of his time, including the legendary Sidney Bechet and the accomplished Clarence Brereton, while he was a member of Noble Sissle's renowned band, the Sizzling Syncopators.
Eddie Cole, a renowned musician, parted ways with Sissle's band following a highly successful European tour in 1936. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career, as he joined forces with his brother's group, the Rogues of Rhythm. Under this banner, Eddie Cole went on to record a series of tracks, both as the Rogues of Rhythm and under his own name, Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers.
As the years went by, Eddie Cole's professional journey took him to Philadelphia, where he settled after World War II. It was during this period that he founded a new musical ensemble, dubbed the Three Loose Nuts and a Bolt. However, this name proved to be short-lived, as he later rebranded his group as Eddie Cole & His Gang.
In the latter half of the 1950s, a significant career move took place for Eddie Cole, as he relocated to the vibrant city of Los Angeles and collaborated with his wife, the talented Betty King, to form a dynamic piano/vocal duo known as the Two Hot Coles. This remarkable partnership was one of the earliest to be signed to the esteemed Warner Bros. label, marking a significant milestone in the duo's illustrious career.
Eddie Cole's multifaceted talents soon extended beyond the realm of music, as he took on a pivotal role in the popular Warner Bros. television detective series, Bourbon Street Beat, in the year 1959. Playing the character of the Baron, a skilled pianist at a renowned New Orleans club, Cole's performance served as the central hub around which the action of the series unfolded.
Eddie Cole, a notable figure in his field, brought his illustrious career to a close during the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. Following his retirement, Cole's life took a poignant turn as he transitioned into a period of well-deserved relaxation and leisure.
It was during this tranquil phase that Cole's mortal coil was eventually laid to rest, his passing occurring in the year 1970 at the ripe age of 68. Despite the passage of time, Cole's legacy continues to endure, a testament to the indelible mark he left on the world during his remarkable lifetime.
