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This project was made possible by funding through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy and the Heritage Policy Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Canadian Heritage

Holly Cole

Biography

Holly Cole (vocalist) was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 25, 1963. Growing up in a musical family she was exposed to a variety of musical styles – from classical to pop to country and jazz greats like Nina Simone and Betty Carter. She moved to Toronto in the 1980s to study at Humber College

Her distinctive smoky voice and knack for choosing unusual material – from traditional jazz standards to Lyle Lovett and Tom Waits has produced international success for the singer. Her 1993 release “Don’t Smoke in Bed” earned a Juno Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 1994 and “Shade” , best vocal jazz album in 2004.

In 2010, Holly contributed a track for the World Jazz For Haiti charity album, recorded at Number 9 Audio Group in support of the Red Cross disaster relief fund. The album featured Canadian artists such as John McDermott, David Clayton-Thomas and George Koller.

Holly Cole's first ever live DVD + CD titled "Steal The Night: Live At The Glenn Gould Studio" was released in Canada in February 2012. It was recorded live at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto in August, 2011. The performance marks the reformation of the original Holly Cole Trio lineup with Aaron Davis on piano and bassist David Piltch, in addition to John Johnson (horns), Rob Piltch (guitars) and Davide DiRenzo (drums).

Holly Cole's new studio album “Night” was released in late 2012 on Universal Music Canada. It is her first studio album in over 5 years.The album, produced by Holly Cole and Greg Cohen, covers songs from Tom Waits ("Walk Away"), Gordon Lightfoot ("If You Could Read My Mind"), Mort Shuman ("Viva Las Vegas"), Captain Beefheart ("Love Lies"), a James Bond theme by John Barry (“You Only Live Twice“), and a Holly Cole original ("You've Got a Secret").

Holly Cole will tour in support of Night in 2012-13 to Canada, America, Germany and Japan.

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