Hilary Kole: Sophisticated Lady

It’s been a number of years between sessions by vocalist Hilary Kole. I caught her at a jazz club about 7-8 years ago and was knocked out by her delivery of standards. She got sidelined by some personal issues, but judging by this latest album, she’s back in town and in serious business. She’s supported by a hip combo of Adam Brinbaum/b, Paul Gil/b, John Hart/g, Aaron Kimmel/dr and Tom Beckham/vibes and an occasional orchestra/woodwind section. Her delivery is moody and clear with clarinet support on the title tune, starry-eyed with soft woodwinds on an uncharacteristically gentle “Old Devil Moon” and classically classy in  a Broadwaysense with good vibes on “Love Dance”. She shows she can have fun scatting on the bouncy “It’s You Or No One” and she is cheerful during the energetic “The Sweetest Sounds”. Most alluring is when she takes off the extra support and goes intimate with Gil on a gorgeous aria of “In A Sentimental Mood”, also wisping with him on a bedroom eyes of “’Round Midnight”. Few penetrate like Cole, and she does it like a ¼ “ drill.

www.hilarykole.com

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