COLE WILLIAMS BAND
WORLD CAFE LIVE PHILADELPHIA - UPSTAIRS
SAT · JULY 22, 2017
DOORS: 7:00 PM / SHOW: 8:00 PM
$10 + FEES
"Life is a stage," says Cole Williams, 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival performer, with the authority of a seasoned artist, entrepreneur and educator. More than a singer/songwriter/producer/ composer, Cole has expanded her repertoire to reflect an increasingly eclectic assortment of creative endeavors. Blessed with a powerful voice and superlative musical instincts, Cole is forging a fearlessly original sound that is as eclectic as her outré fashion sense.
East Flatbush, Brooklyn gave birth to this multi-instrumentalist (voice, piano, percussion), and New Orleans has given this butterfly wings, as she fearlessly pioneers her sound, African Rock. In her early years, Cole attended Brooklyn Technical High School (known for its breadth of alumni, including Nobel Laureates, as well as Mos Def and Talib Kweli) before studying classical voice at New Jersey City University. This rich background coupled with Cole’s foundation in classical piano (trained from ages 4-17), church upbringing and childhood love affair with her parents’ record collection provided her with the foundation to eventually broaden her artistic output, and become a diverse force in the entertainment industry.
Cole’s stage presence has been likened to Grace Jones with a girl next door flare bends and melds sound breaking traditional genre distinctions, making her a unique musical entity, comfortable singing rock ballads as she is reggae or a blues tracks. She is an innovative multi instrumentalist, site and choir director with Community Works of New Orleans, an ASCAP affiliated writer and publisher, Tuesday radio show host of the WWOZ New Orleans Music Show, WWOZ documentary producer/interviewer and endorsed by Regal Tip. Her latest albums , a limited edition double EP – Out of the Basement, Out of the Box and Sin City, the mixtape — is currently carried at Louisiana Music Factory. Cole's single "Occupy Yourself" is featured on the 30th Anniversary BRC compilation CD.
Williams' solo band Cole Williams Band has opened for Emily King, Corey Henry and Treme Funktet and performed at iconic venues across the globe, including iconic Blue Note, Maple Leaf Bar, Ooh Poo Pah Doo, BAM Cafe, Le China and House Of Blues.
Cole's vocal stylings are featured on the 30th Annual Back Rock Coalition Compilation CD, “Curry Chicken” by Joey Bada$$ , “Peaches N Herb” (premiered by Wax Poetics), "Stand Tall” (premiered by Offbeat Magazine), "Ray Charles" by Chiddy Bang - commercials such as CoverGirl, JC Penny, Suave Professionals, . In addition, she has contributed background vocals for Aloe Blacc, Little Jackie, Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam, Diane Birch as well as Somi, Kaissa, Dana Fuchs and Neurotic Drum Band. Cole's velvet presence is felt with the band, Pimps Of Joytime (2012-2015), whom Williams is a former member. Cole’s vocal performance have been featured on television shows as prominent as Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, The Jools Holland Show, The Craig Ferguson Show, Live With Kelly & Michael, 90210, and The Today Show.
Cole has participated in photo shoots for designers such as Elyvette, Makabu and KALYSSCOLORS, and for publications and photographers like Essence, Italian Vogue, Bill Wadman, New Orleans Magazine and LiveForLiveNola. Cole Williams has forged a multi-faceted media identity that defies the standard definitions of being an artist. Her expansive resume hints at a deep talent, grounded in truth and thirsting for continued opportunities of expression and expansion. See Cole Williams Band LIVE every Saturday night at Marigny Brasserie on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans.
Venue Information:
World Cafe Live Philadelphia - Upstairs
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19104
philly.worldcafelive.com