Steve Cole | True - Release 11/21

"You’re gonna feel something whether you like it or not,” says saxman Steve Cole about his forthcoming True album. Focusing on performance, improvisation and really playing from the heart & soul, and fueled by the metropolitan sounds and influences of his hometown of Chicago, the album is a mix of R&B, contemporary jazz, pop and dance music.

Through his four previous albums, Cole has established himself as a core artist in contemporary jazz. His consistency as a songwriter and producer also merits respect as he’s scored four #1 radio hits and ten Top 5 singles since his 1998 debut. True promises to add to Cole’s impressive stats. He set the bar high on each engaging track, delivering unadulterated artistry and organic musicianship.

Cole couldn’t help being influenced by the music that emerged from his hometown where he still calls home. On the album, he tips his hat to such pioneers as jazz-funk legend Quincy Jones, soul icon Curtis Mayfield and clubby house music. But playing and improvising were also primary inspirations for Cole on True. He focused on giving a unique performance on each song. Cole believes that the true measure of the artist is how the musician improvises off the melody. Many records stifle that creativity so Cole sought to produce the record as “live” as possible, fostering the setting for expansive soloing.

A talented cast of musicians helped Cole bring True to life, including Jeff Golub, Steve Rodby, David Mann, Ricky Peterson, Lenny Castro and Khari Parker. The album title refers to a return to innocence, a return to the roots, a return to the music that inspired Cole to explore his passion for jazz-funk made popular by artists such as Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn, Spyro Gyra and George Benson. It was an era of well-crafted songs, live production and expressive music that emerged from the core of the artists’ being. That’s the recipe Cole used to create True.

After studying modern classical music for saxophone at Northwestern University, Cole earned an MBA at the University of Chicago. Debuting with Stay Awhile, he scored three radio hits out of the box that helped him garner the 2000 Oasis Smooth Jazz Prism Award as Best New Artist. Subsequent albums include Between Us, NY LA, and Spin. Cole has toured and/or recorded with Brian Culbertson, Junior Wells, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, KMFDM, Rick Braun and others.


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