Jenkintown Jazz and Brewfest
Jenkintown Jazz Festival 2009 Main Stage Artists
The Jazz Fest is FREE and open to the public.
This year we are proud to present:
- Denise King - vocalist, and the Denise King Quartet
- Denise is probably the pre-eminent jazz vocalist in the Philadelphia area.
[More about Denise King] - Richie Cole - alto sax, and the Richie Cole Quartet
- Acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and arranger and founder of the Alto Madness Orchestra.
[More about Richie Cole] - A jazz combo from Jenkintown High School.
DENISE KING
“When people ask me about my music and how I got started, I tell them that my singing career really started by accident. Music was never something that I planned to do or something that I picked. It just happened. After all that I've experienced, and all of the wonderful people that I've met, I don't think I would trade this gig for any other in the world.”
One day a shy girl from Philadelphia, PA, was sweeping her front stoop and sweetly singing “Summertime” when a guitarist/writer from Philadelphia International Records walked by and heard her singing. He was so impressed by what he heard that he auditioned her, hired her and the rest is history. That was the beginning of a singing career that would WOW people in Brazil, France, Africa, Japan, Turkey, and other places around the world.
With no formal vocal instruction, it’s apparent that she was born to sing. She was introduced to Jazz at age twelve by an uncle who had an extensive collection of Jazz LP's. Her “studies” involved hours of listening to the Jazz greats, both vocalists and instrumentalists. Denise borrowed phrasing styles from Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole and Frank Sinatra. She gained an appreciation for lyrics from Little Jimmy Scott, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McCrae and Nina Simone. The early gigs were difficult in that she was painfully stage shy.
But with the help of Sam Reed, sax man and leader of the legendary Uptown Theater Orchestra she overcame her stage fright. Her early experiences involved sharing the stage with many legends, Butch Ballard, Arthur Harper, Sam Dougherty, Cecil Payne, Jymie Merritt, Bootsie Barnes, Lex Humphries and many, many more. They taught her the importance of having something to say every time she stepped up to the microphone. Their instruction paid off. While performing at Zanzibar Blue in Philly, Denise met Dexter Wansel, writer, producer, which opened the door to many recording experiences at Philly International Records.
Denise King is a very passionate singer who has a way of pulling her audiences into her performances. Listening to her warm tone, impeccable phrasing, and the absolute control she has of her voice is mesmerizing. Whether she's singing a Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan standard, or a Gladys Knight or Aretha Franklin cover, she puts her heart and soul into every note. Denise has mastered the art of making a song her own no matter what the genre. Over the years, she has shared the stage with such greats as Roy Hargrove, The Brecker Brothers, Phil Wright, Cecil McBee, Christian McBride, Orrin Evans, Lonnie Plaxico, Uri Caine, Sid Simmons, Dr. Guy Ramsey, J.D. Walter, Barbara Morrison, Derrick Hodge, Chris Beck, Billy Paul, Jean Carne, Celine Dion, Bunny Sigler and the list goes on and on.
When performing with her band whether trio, quartet or quintet they are the driving force behind her and support her every note. They instinctively know what she's going to do next and meet her there with perfect timing. With a voice described as velvet smooth she captivates you and holds you with every note. When she's in concert, it's not unusual to see her break out into a dance on stage or with someone from the audience. Her shows are always energetic, fun and spontaneous. Her love of people, performance style, and energy are sure to always make Denise King a favorite at any venue.
RICHIE COLE
Richie Cole fans continue to praise the jazz/bebop artist who is recognized worldwide for the sweet sounds of his alto sax and the creativity behind his Alto Madness Orchestra.
The Alto Madness Orchestra was developed by Richie in the early 90's and its continuing popularity is proof of its uniqueness. “The idea of the Orchestra is the concept and sound of an eighteen-piece big band using only seven instruments, four of which are horns,” explained Richie with pride. “Not only does this have the big band ensemble sound, it also allows us plenty of room for improvisation as if we were in a quartet setting,” he added enthusiastically.
Cole’s ability goes far beyond mesmerizing the audience with his saxophone because he does all the composing and arranging, having amassed over five thousand of the latter. He also finds time to arrange for full big bands and Symphony Orchestras. Jazz Festivals book Cole months in advance and his appearances in clubs assure large audiences.
Richie’s musical mind is always working, and it’s not unusual for him to write five to ten original compositions a day including all the parts for his seven piece band.
Cole and his saxophone, one of three Selmer Paris saxes he uses, travel the world captivating his fans. When he started on the road he used a customized van, now Risë laughed and said, “We travel by all modes, train, plane, automobile, bus, donkey” displaying her hearty sense of humor.
When Cole was touring Siberia he premiered his Jazz Suite, “A Night in Siberia”, which was performed by the Red Army Big Band. The mayor of Tomsk, Siberia and the concert promoter are hoping to arrange a state department tour of their Orient Express route.
Cole’s knowledge is revered in Master Classes at Universities and Colleges and the Alto Madness Orchestra course has entered its sixth year at the University of Madrid in Spain.
“Music is such an important part of life and its appreciation should start in the young. Musical education is vital and that’s why I organized the Alto Madness Junior Orchestra. It allows me a chance to work with children 10 to 16 years-old. It teaches them to perform music especially written for their capability. That way they can understand it, feel it, and have the sense of musical accomplishment. That’s when the love of music, jazz or otherwise, is developed”, said Richie, who then added, “There’s nothing to replace music that comes from the heart and soul”. Cole’s students respond to his informality and conversational personal experiences during his forty years in the industry. “Everyone has the opportunity to play...and listen”, he said.
Cole also recorded with singer/songwriter and prominent children's artist Miss Amy during 2007, adding his style to music that spans to an even younger audience, 0 to 10. “Playing jazz for the next generation is a real thrill”, said this notable jazz legend.
Richie Cole’s own love for the music that has become his life began when he was 10 in home town of Trenton, New Jersey. “I played in a lot of different school bands and orchestras until I graduated”, he recalled with a smile. His obvious talent and dedication won him a full scholarship from Downbeat Magazine to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Mass.
His serious professional career began in 1969 when he joined the Buddy Rich Big Band followed by becoming a part of the Lionel Hampton Big Band, then he joined the Doc Severinsen Big Band. In 1975 Richie teamed with the great Eddie Jefferson and worked with him until Jefferson’s death four years later.
Cole has performed with the Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Enriquez, Freddy Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Boots Randolph, and Nancy Wilson, to name just a few of his musical collaborations.
“I started developing and perfecting my Alto Madness concept when I started touring on my own”, he said. Those tours included performing in Australia, Japan, Africa, Finland, Russia and throughout Europe. He was appointed to the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization , and the Board for the National Endowment for the Arts where he served as chairman for one year. He is also a long time member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and has performed at their annual convention and in 2005 was awarded the State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz on behalf of the Temecula Jazz Society.
Cole has recorded over 50 albums and CD’s, his newest, Back On Top, is on Jazz Excursion Records and is the first record made specifically for jazz internet radio.
Over forty years in the industry and he still gets critical raves, such as, “Richie Cole constantly shows that there is life, humor and creativity still to be found in classic bebop”, and “Cole is at the height of his creative powers, and he sure wasn’t a slouch before.”
The beauty of jazz bepop is listening to Richie Cole who produces its sound the way it must be to fully interpret its depth. Richie Cole is Alto Madness.
