George Cole and his Orchestra

A “virtuosic marvel” (San Jose Mercury News), guitarist, vocalist, and Bay Area native George Cole and his orchestra perform the timeless songs from the 1960 holiday classic The Magic of Christmas by singer and pianist Nat “King” Cole. These “Cole Plays Cole” concerts have become an SFJAZZ tradition, this year expanded from a trio format to large ensemble. 

Deeply versed in the “jazz manouche” style pioneered by guitar legend Django Reinhardt in the 1930s, Cole is the curator and director of violin and guitar for the annual Esprit de Django et Stéphane Festival at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, though his versatility and musicality have led to collaboration with iconic singer Keely Smith, bluegrass giant David Grisman, and rock mainstays Joe Walsh and Chris Isaak.

For this evening, the guitarist explores Nat “King” Cole’s beloved Christmas masterpiece — the best-selling holiday album of the 1960s — and its signature arrangements of “O Tannenbaum,” “A Cradle in Bethlehem,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” and “The First Noël,” infusing them with his masterful style.