With his debut album A Journey of One, Goldsboro native Nicholas Cole blends the jazz gospel sound of Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum with the melodic and soul sensibilities of Brian Culbertson. He also has a unique keyboard style that is his own. Nicholas Cole, a 17 year old musician, produced the 12 tracks in his studio. He displayed remarkable poise and melodic invention as well as improvisational jazz skills. He has been playing organ and piano in church since he was four years old. This unique mix of spiritual and secular musical influences is what Nicholas brings to the project. He is currently a performer at Mt. Zion Church Ministries, Goldsboro. Nicholas’ church family was the one that inspired him to record his album. However, the young artist credits God with all the glory as if he were a vessel for a higher purpose. He says that he didn’t want to just make good music in the studio. “I wanted to create and play music from my heart.” God gave me the gift of playing, so I naturally write and play music that is spiritual. It’s as if God has placed it on my heart and given me the chance to express it. It is clear that jazz and gospel have a strong connection. Although Nicholas likes to claim that he was raised musically in church, he also learned from Jimmy Aycock early on, who has been teaching piano for more than 30 years in the Goldsboro region. Aycock believed that Cole’s talent was greater than that of many of his students and recommended that he attend The Julliard School, New York. Rick Dipiro, a teacher who met Nicholas while the Cole family was vacationing in Myrtle Beach realized that Cole’s style was better suited for jazz than classical music and recommended that he enroll at Berklee School of Music. Cole will continue his solo recording and performing career while he attends Berklee after completing high school. bio by www.nicholascolejazz.com/
