"Ms. Kole's poised, sultry ballad-singing has always been easy on the ears. But her smooth melodic lines have never been so consistently infused with subtext, which spells the difference between sounding pretting and having something to say. Her vision of the Dietz-Schwartz ballad "Haunted Heart" stood apart from any other through its translation into a bossa nova..."
New York Time
"I think this recording has the idea of a completed circle. From her winning, swinging sound on "You For Me" and "It's Love" to her wonderful selection of "Blackberry Winter" and " I don't know about your", I truly feel that the listener will get a complete musical picture of Hilary Kole. It's a picture that both salutes and respects the past, while singing to the future. Enjoy !"
John Pizzarelli, December 2008
Hilary Kole co- created and originated the lead female roles in the critically acclaimed, award winning Off-Broadway musicals, "Our Sinatra." (2000 MAC Award) and "Singing Astaire."
Ms. Kole has been hailed by critics as a "musical marvel!" (Rex Reed, New York Observer. ) In reviewing Kole's performance in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote,"swinging...sultry....sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice...Kole locates the desperation and impatience lurking in Cole Porter's besotted lyrics." And Robert Daniels from Daily Variety said "Kole is quite the prettiest young thrush on the club circuit...it's torch singing at its apex."
Ms. Kole began her professional career at the legendary Rainbow Room as the youngest singer ever to grace the stage. From there, she appeared in a sold-out run at the famed Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, made her concert hall debut at Lincoln Center as part of the "American Songbook Series" with Jonathan Schwartz, and in June of 2007, appeared at Carnegie Hall during a Tribute to Oscar Peterson, and in January, 2008, at the Canadian Tribute to Dr. Peterson at Roy Thompson Hall alongside Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and Nancy Wilson. Hilary has appeared as a headliner in New York City at Town Hall (Nightlife Awards), Birdland, The Blue Note, Iridium, the Jazz Standard, and at Carnegie Hall with Michael Feinstein. Apart from appearing throughout the country with her two shows, "Our Sinatra" and "Singing Astaire," Hilary is also a favorite at the Continental Airlines Arena, singing the National Anthem for sporting events,as well as been featured at the 92nd Street YMHA concert series "Lyrics and Lyricists" and "Jazz in July" with pianist Dick Hyman. In 2005, Hilary debuted in Perugia, Italy, at the famed Umbria Jazz Festival, as well as the Nairn Jazz Festival in Narin, Scotland, and throughout Spain.
In the past year, Hilary had the honor of recording with Jazz legands Oscar Peterson and Hank Jones, as well as master composer, Michel LeGrand. Ms. Kole has also appeared alongside Alan Broadbent, Lee Musiker, Dave Frishberg, Roger Kelloway, Tedd Firth, Houston Pearson, Harry Allen, Joel Frahm, Russel Malone, John Pizzarelli, Paul Meyers, Gene Bertoncini, Lewis Nash, Mark McLean, and Paul Gill among others.
Kole's television appearances include CNN's Showbiz Today, Fox's Good Day New York, PBS, NBC's Today in New York, as well as a half hour feature on CN8's 'One on One with Steve Adubato'.
Hilary began singing and playing the piano at age five. At twelve, she received a scholarship to attend the Walden School for music composition, where she spent her next 6 summers. Her compositions garndered three National Federation of Music Awards. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Delius Award for her work "Piano Trio No.1" which received its world premiere with the Jacksonville Symphony. Upon graduation high school, she was granted a scholarship by the Oakley Foundation to study composition at Manhattan School of Music. Hilary's compositions have been performed by the New England Brass Quintet, the Peabody Trio, and the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Vocal Ensemble, among others.
Hilary has entertained at some of Manhattan's most prestigious events, including a Democratic Fundraiser for President Bill Clinton; an Emmy party in honor of Oprah Winfrey's Lifetime Achievement Award; the Helen Hays Awards, and as the featured entertainmer at the movie premier parties for Maid in Manhattan starring Jennifer Lopez, and Mona Lisa Smile and Stepmom starring Julia Roberts. Hilary also appeared at the 2004 Super Bowl at the Houston Astrodome..
