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Bill Cole

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  • Biography
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John Coltrane

John Coltrane, published by Schirmer Books, Inc., December 1976. Translated into Japanese, 1984. Reprinted by Da Capo Press, 1993.  Third Edition published Fall, 2001. 

Here is the book that distinguished music critic Leonard Feather called a "brilliantly perceptive examination of the forces that shaped Coltrane's brief life." Illustrating the influence of African folklore and spirituality on Coltrane's work and sound, Bill Cole creates an innovative portrait of the legendary tenor saxophonist. With illustrative diagrams, a discography, and more than twenty photographs, this is an essential addition to every jazz fan's library.

Buy on Amazon.com


Miles Davis: The Early Years

Miles Davis: The Early Years (originally Miles Davis: A Musical Biography, published by William Morrow and Company, September 1974. Translated into Japanese, 1975. Translated into Swedish, 1976.) Reprinted by De Capo Press, 1994

Bill Cole's study of the music of Miles Davis covers his career from his first meeting with Charlie Parker up to his experimentation with electric music in the early 1970s. Cole sheds new light not only on Miles Davis's technique, recordings, and philosophy, but on those of his fellow musicians as well: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, and Charles Mingus, among others. Supplemented with thirteen musical transcriptions of his solos and a complete list of his recording sessions through 1972, Miles Davis: The Early Years illuminates much more than the life and work of one of jazz's most innovative musicians: It explores the very nature of African American music itself.

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Other Writings

”Billy Bang – Vietnam, the Aftermath/Billy Bang – Vietnam, Reflections,” International Jazz Archives, University of Pittsburgh, Vol. III No. 3, Fall 2009-2010.

“The path I have taken and the instruments I play,” in All About Jazz, August, 2003

Articles on John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, and Roy Eldridge; in the Encyclopedia of African American History and Culture; MacMillan Publishing Co., Dec. 1995.

"Julius Hemphill," The Saxophone Journal, Spring 1987, pp. 26-31.

"Wind and Thunder," The Western Journal of Black Studies, winter 1986, pp. 193-194.

"Alice Coltrane," New Groves Dictionary of Music, September 1986.

"The World Saxophone Quartet - A Unique Springboard," The Saxophone Journal, Spring 1986, pp. 43-46.

Review of Jah Music by Sebastian Clarke, published in Explorations in Sights and Sounds, March 1983, the National Association of Interdisciplinary Ethnic Studies, California State Polytechnic University.

"Improvisation in Music - A Black's View," published in Free Spirits: Annals of the Insurgent Imagination, City Lights Books, San Francisco, Summer 1982.

"Giving Programs in School Assemblies in the Mid-West," Campus Magazine, spring 1980, pp. 37-40.

Music Editor of Massachusetts Review, Fall 1973.  A quarterly of literature, arts, and public affairs.

Articles of criticism published in CODA, 1972-1973.

Freelance writing for Down Beat Magazine, 1970-1972.  Over 45 articles of criticism published. Personal column, fall 1971. 

Performances

Previous events

Jun22

Music Now! at Scholes Street Studio

Saturday, June 22, 2019 @ 12:00AMSat, Jun 22, 2019 @ 12:00AM

Scholes Street Studio, 375 Lorimer St (corner of Scholes St), Brooklyn, New York

Join Bill Cole alongside a wonderful line-up of creative artists for an evening of music on June 22nd at Scholes Street Studio!

Full Line-up:   7pm "Saxophone Surprise" with Jessica Jones-Tenor Sax Tony Jones-Tenor Sax   8pm Bill Cole-Didjeridu,Sona,Hojok Larry Roland-Bass Tiffany Weitien-Drums Ras Moshe Burnett-Tenor sax & Soprano Sax   9pm Sandra Sprecher-Piano Bonnie Kane-Alto Sax & Flute   10pm Music Now! with Ras Moshe Burnett Ophra Wolf-Movement

Tanya Kalmanovich-Viola Katie Down-Flutes Eriq Robinson-Electronics Dave Miller-Drums

Refreshments and light snacks available  

$20

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We Three Together

We Three Together

Sunday, June 9, 2019 @ 12:00AMSun, Jun 9, 2019 @ 12:00AM

ArtisTree, 2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret, VT

Join Bill Cole on double reed horns from India, China, and Korea plus Didgeridoo with bass guitarist Gerald Veasley and Trumpet player Stephanie Richards for an afternoon of improvised music on June 9th (4 pm) at ArtisTree in Vermont!

suggested donation $10

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Jun10

Untempered Quartet and Ensemble at D.C. Jazz Festival

Sunday, June 10, 2018 @ 12:00AMSun, Jun 10, 2018 @ 12:00AM

RHIZOME, 6950 Maple St NW, Washington D.C.

Join Bill Cole and his Untempered Quartet and Ensemble in D.C. for a wonderful evening of music on June 10th! 4PM/$10 The Untempered Quartet Bill Cole – Leader, Asian double reed horns & didgeridoo Ras Moshe - tenor, flute Althea SullyCole – voice, strings Larry Roland - bass

7PM/$20 The Untempered Ensemble

Bill Cole – Leader, Asian double reed horns & didgeridoo Warren Smith – drums, perc.     Ras Moshe – tenor, flute Jamal Moore – reeds, flute, perc.    Lisette Santiago – perc.    Althea SullyCole – voice, strings      Larry Roland – bass       

$10/$20

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