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OVERVIEW

“The Cole Nobody Knows” is a documentary on Chicago-native Freddy Cole, the lesser-known, yet equally talented younger brother of Nat “King” Cole. At age 75, Freddy Cole is, at last, being widely recognized for his amazing musical talent.

The film examines the complicated journey of creating a career in the shadow of a famous sibling. Mr. Cole’s story is told through interviews with Mr. Cole, Monty Alexander, Nancy Wilson, David “Fathead” Newman, John di Martino, H Johnson, Carl Anthony and many others.

Photographed in Atlanta, New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Switzerland & France, “The Cole Nobody Knows” also offers a reinvigorating journey through the “Great American Songbook” by offering extraordinary, live performance material with Freddy Cole and his quartet.

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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Freddy Cole is one of America's great, unacknowledged treasures.   This project was developed as a result of my great admiration for the music of Freddy Cole.

I first experienced Mr. Cole's music twelve years ago when I heard a beautiful ballad played on the radio that touched my soul in a way that music rarely can these days.  The song was Mr. Cole’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” complemented by Mr. Grover Washington, Jr. on saxophone.

Many years later, I had the great pleasure of experiencing Mr. Cole and his quartet perform at Spivey Hall in Atlanta.  I later attended his 70th birthday party, which was somewhat of a public event, where I spoke to him for the first time.

With this project, I wish to introduce Mr. Cole in the present tense to those who are unfamiliar with his music and allow new listeners to develop their own appreciation for his wonderful talents.

Clay Walker, 2006