Celebrating Nat King Cole

 MODERATED BY STEVE HOCHMAN

The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to celebrate the release of Nat King Cole’s Live at the Blue Note Chicago in the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater with an evening including a panel moderated by Steve Hochman featuring restoration audio engineer and producer James Sáez, Michael Bearden, who has worked as Music Director for over 500 artists, including Madonna, J Lo, Michael Jackson, and currently Lady Gaga, and producer/multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Dapo Torimiro, who has written songs with Justin Bieber, Frank Ocean, Babyface, discussing the creative process behind the album and Nat King Cole’s life, along with a behind-the-scenes look at photos and videos throughout his career. 

The week of August 28, 1953, riding high on the charts, acclaimed pianist and singer Nat King Cole took to the stage at the Blue Note Chicago, Chi-town’s first integrated venue in his beloved Bronzeville neighborhood. Nearly five years had passed since Cole’s last appearance at the club. Upon returning to the city, he graced the stage for these intimate performances at least twice a day for a week.

Seventy years later, those historic, never-before-heard performances by Chicago’s adopted son’s week-long residency have been unearthed and meticulously restored for this “time capsule” (Analog Planet). The album is available on 2LP with lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, pressed-on audiophile-quality 180-gram vinyl at RTI, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket, as well as 2CD, and digital formats. https://natkingcole.com/products/live-at-the-blue-note-chicago-180g-2lp

The set boasts detailed notes about the meticulous restoration process from the original dual mono recordings by audio engineer and producer James Sàez, who spent weeks working on a sequence that followed Cole’s original set list, including transitions crowd participations, and introductions during the show. The packaging also includes an essay by acclaimed author and music critic Will Friedwald, a replica of the club’s original newsletter promoting Cole’s residency, and a number of rare archival photos of Cole in and around Chicago from the era.

Recorded by club owner Frank Holzfeind, who fatefully taped shows each night at the nation’s premier jazz venue for his enjoyment, Live at the Blue Note Chicago creates a personal connection, taking the listener back to Cole’s Chicago roots and showcasing a different side of him during a time when jazz was at the forefront of musical exploration and cultural expression. The collection features the unbridled raw energy of his trio—John Collins (guitar), Charlie Harris (bass), Lee Young (drums)—lead by Cole’s fierce piano playing, instantly recognizable velvety voice and sophisticated charm, intimately performing the timeless American songbook.

James Sáez is an industry veteran based in Los Angeles and the owner of The Audio Labs Production House / Recording Studio. His wide range of work can be heard on hundreds of recordings including numerous gold, platinum and Grammy winning records as well as a wide variety of award winning film and television projects.

Michael Bearden – 2X Emmy nominated music director, keyboardist, arranger, conductor and composer. Born and raised in south side of Chicago. Was Michael Jackson’s music director and is Lady Gaga’s MD since 2013.  

Dapo Torimiro – Nigerian songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Dapo’s big break was placing the song “Quickly” (co-written with Frank Ocean and the award-winning production duo Midi Mafia (50 Cent, Fantasia)) on nine-time Grammy winner John Legend‘s third studio album, Evolver, which was released in Fall of 2008. Featuring multi-platinum-selling artist Brandy, “Quickly” received early industry buzz as not only an inspired, sleek duet featuring R&B/pop music’s leading artists, but also as one of the album’s stand-out gems. Dapo, Frank Ocean and Midi Mafia co-wrote (and Dapo/Midi Mafia produced) approximately 20+ songs, some of which were released by Frank as part of his “Lonny Breaux Collection” which includes a demo version of Justin Bieber’s “Bigger” (My World) as well as “Bedtime Stories”, “Done”, “Lights”, “Quickly” (Frank’s demo version), “Read The Stars”, “Standing Still”, and “When I’m Done”. 

Member Check – In: 6:30pm

Nonmember Check – In / Doors: 7:00pm

Show Time: 7:30pm

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