Monty Alexander Trio w/Freddy Cole - Zanzibar Blue, 12/18/04
Billed as "To Nat With Love - A Nat King Cole Christmas: The Monty Alexander Trio with Freddy Cole," this show was a loving tribute to Nat King Cole performed and sung by two well seasoned and talented jazzmen. While lighter on the Christmas tunes than the title would suggest, there was no shortage of Cole classics in this Saturday night dinner set at Philadelphia's Zanzibar Blue. Alexander took the stage with his trio and performed an eight song set that included "LOVE," "Ramblin' Rose," "Paper Moon," and "Nature Boy," led by Alexander's piano; the guitarist, bassist and drummer all got plenty of opportunities to solo in this very jazzy performance. Alexander took the microphone to sing "Sentimental Reasons" and "Too Marvelous for Words." Freddy Cole then came onstage to sing a seven song set. Cole's vocals remind you of his iconic older brother without sounding like a copy. Their voices have a defin...