Cole Williams

"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 Cole 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, choir director and songwriting instructor with Community Works of New Orleans, an ASCAP affiliated writer and publisher, WWOZ Radio Host, WWOZ Producer/Interviewer and endorsed by Regal Tip. Her latest album , a limited edition double EP – Out of the Basement, Out of the Box— is currently carried at Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans, and Cole is featured on the 30th Anniversary BRC compilation CD. Her solo band Cole Williams Band is debuting at the 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, has opened for Emily King and is releasing a new album, “Sin City” on April 15, 20916 through her label, That'sMy Worldwide LLC (formed in 2011).

Cole's vocal stylings can be heard on her latest album “Sin City the mixtape”,“Occupy Yourself” featured on the 30th Annual Back Rock Coalition Compilation CD,“Stand Tall” (premiered by Offbeat Magazine) “Curry Chicken” by Joey Bada$$ and “Peaches N Herb” (premiered by Wax Poetics). She also lent her voice for the catchy hook on 2013’s "Ray Charles" by Chiddy Bang. 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 vocals 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 is a Brand Ambassador for New Orleans based couture line, OdAOMO and has participated in photo shoots for designers such as Pret A Porter Designs, Elyvette, Makabu and KALYSSCOLORS, and for publications and photographers like Essence, Italian Vogue, Bill Wadman, Victoire Foxx, Rae Maxwell New Orleans Living, MasterMind US, Suavv 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.

Management: Jennifer Shapiro jennifershapiro@thatsmyworldwide.com PR: Laura Goldfarb laura@redbootpr.com