Bobby Cole

Bobby Cole (September 8, 1932 – December 19, 1996) was an American musician, known for his jazz singing and piano playing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger. He worked as a musical arranger for The Judy Garland Show hosted by Judy Garland, succeeding Mel Tormé. He conducted the orchestra for her 1967 "Palace" concerts and album and was the conductor and musical director on her last tour. Biography and Career Bobby Cole was born Robert Kane Sarnicola in New York City and grew up in Astoria, Queens. After service in the US Army, he returned to New York to begin his career. Bobby worked originally with a group called the Bobby Cole Band, composed of members of those musicians he knew from Astoria. The guitarist Peter Buchakian was an early member of his band. He also worked for years with jazz drummer Tony Lupo. Bobby usually worked as part of a trio; providing lead vocals and piano while working with a bassist and a drummer as well. The Bobby Cole Trio premiered in New York at The Living Room in New York in 1960. Reviewer Dick Hoekstra, who attended Bobby's engagement at the Golden Falcon Lounge in Ft. Lauderdale in the early 1960s observed, "I got a slight suggestion of Cole's talent when I was told that Dan Segal, owner of New York's famed Living Room, was not only in the audience but was Bobby's personal manager. Dan told me that of the countless greats he has booked to play his room, Bobby Cole exceeded any talent that he has ever heard or hired." Bobby's drummers during this period included Bobby Ferris and John Nardozza.