Cozy Cole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cozy Cole | |
|---|---|
 Photo by Ralph F. Seghers
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Randolph Cole |
| Born | October 17, 1909 |
| Origin | East Orange, New Jersey, United States |
| Died | January 31, 1981 (aged 71) |
| Genre(s) | Swing |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 1930s — 1970s |
| Associated acts | Cab Calloway Blanche Calloway Benny Carter Stuff Smith Willie Bryant |
Cozy Cole (October 17, 1909 — January 31, 1981) was a jazz drummer who had a #1 hit with the song "Topsy Part 2". The song contained a lengthy drum solo, and one of the few drum solo recordings that ever made the Billboard Hot 100 (1958) chart. The single, issued on the tiny Brooklyn based Love Records, was a big hit.
Cole is cited as an influence by many contemporary rock drummers, including Cozy Powell, who part named himself after Cole.
William Randolph Cole was born in 1909 in East Orange, New Jersey. His first job was with Wilber Sweatman in 1928. In 1930 he played for Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers, recording an early drum solo on "Load of Cole". He then spent 1931-33 with Blanche Calloway, 1933-34 with Benny Carter, Willie Bryant in 1935-36, Stuff Smith's small combo 1936-38 and Cab Calloway 1938-42.
Cole appeared in a few music related films through the years, right up to the 1950s, including a brief cameo in Don't Knock the Rock. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Cole continued to work in a variety of settings, until he died of cancer in 1981, in Columbus, Ohio.
[edit] Gallery
 From left: Jack Teagarden, Sandy DeSantis, Velma Middleton, Fraser MacPherson, Cozy Cole, Arvell Shaw, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard. At the Palomar Supper Club, March 17, 1951. |
[edit] External links
- Drummerworld: Cozy Cole - includes video and sound clips
- Fansite
