Stella Cole
Stella Cole | |
|---|---|
 Stella Cole at Glassalen | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Stella Katherine Cole 13 January 1999 Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | www |
Stella Katherine Cole (born 13 January 1999) is an American singer known for her interpretations of jazz standards and songs from the Great American Songbook. Her expanding international audience includes more than 1.7 million social media followers and tens of millions of video views across digital platforms.[1][2] Citing Judy Garland as a major influence, Cole initially gained significant popularity through social media platforms before establishing herself as a prominent live performer and recording artist in the New York City jazz scene.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Cole was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois.[4] Her fascination with music began at the age of three after watching The Wizard of Oz. This sparked a lifelong passion for movie musicals and their iconic stars, particularly Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, who remain her biggest inspirations.[5] She attended Northwestern University, where she graduated in 2021 with a degree in theatre and international relations. According to Cole, her time at university helped her to hone her vocal skills and deepen her understanding of the music that she loved.[6]
Career
[edit]During the COVID-19 pandemic, while at home, Cole began posting videos of herself singing on TikTok. An impromptu clip of "Over the Rainbow" went viral, and she quickly amassed a large following.[3] Her rendition of Stephen Sondheim's "Everybody Says Don't" also went viral.[7] After graduating, Cole moved to New York City and immersed herself in the local jazz community. She began performing at various clubs and restaurants, building her repertoire and reputation. She has since performed at venues like Birdland Jazz Club, Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Café Carlyle.[6] Her online fame led to collaborations with major artists and groups. She has toured with Postmodern Jukebox across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Her 2023 collaboration with the group on a cover of Miley Cyrus's "Flowers" was widely acclaimed, racking up more than 6 million views.[3][6] Cole released her self-titled debut album that year, produced by Matt Pierson. The album features a mix of well-known standards and lesser-known gems, with arrangements by Grammy-winner Alan Broadbent.[3]
In March, 2026, Cole performed with her quartet over four nights at the Xiqu Centre, Hong Kong. In a glowing review, the South China Morning Post wrote:
Smooth, playful, dramatic and teasing, the Stella Cole Quartet gave its Xiqu Centre audience a night of all-American nostalgic glamour. Wit and warmth abounded in the Stella Cole Quartet’s run of four performances at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre. A baker’s dozen of jazz standards and classic film favourites delivered over an hour proved an ideal format – well paced and polished, without a moment of slack. Meanwhile, the retro stylings of the bijoux Tea House Theatre mirrored Cole’s profile as a performer: an old soul in youthful form.[8]
On 19 April 2026, Cole performed with Danish conductor Mikkel Rønnow and his orchestra in two concerts at the Glass Hall (Tivoli Gardens) Theatre ("Glassalen"), that featured arrangements by Alan Broadbent and Jesper Riis, with two newly commissioned arrangements of the Judy Garland classics "The Man That Got Away" and "Almost Like Being in Love" by Scottish composer Derek Williams based on those he originally scored for Caroline O'Connor (actress) at the Sydney Opera House.[9][10][11] The concerts played to capacity audiences, who gave Cole and Rønnow spontaneous standing ovations, and received favourable reviews, with GAFFA magazine describing Cole as "an absolutely worthy heir to names like Doris Day and Judy Garland."[12][13][14]
Artistry
[edit]Cole performs jazz standards, many of which are from the Great American Songbook.[3]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Stella Cole (2023)
- Snow! (2024)
- It's Magic (2025)
Singles
[edit]- "Next Christmas" (2022)
- "Flowers" (with Postmodern Jukebox) (2023)
- "Uptown Girl" (with Postmodern Jukebox) (2023)
- "Christmas Dreaming" (2023)
- "Moon River" (2024)
- "P.S. I Love You" (2024)
- "Till There Was You" (2025)
- "Say It" (2025)
- "Merry Christmas, Darling" (2025)
References
[edit]- ^ "Stella Cole January 15 - 17, 2026 Samueli Theater". scfta.org. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. January 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ^ "Rising Star Vocalist Stella Cole Releases My Funny Valentine EP via Decca Records US Announces NYC Café Carlyle Residency May 12-16, 2026". ShoreFire.com. Shore Fire Media. 6 February 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Bio - Stella Cole". stellacole.net. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "Young jazz singer takes musical inspiration from Great American Songbook". Illinois Public Media. October 24, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "Rising Star Stella Cole Talks Early Beginnings, Touring and Debut Album". Hamptons.com. 20 September 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Stella Cole - The Kennedy Center". kennedy-center.org. January 11, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "From TikTok to Birdland, NU alum Stella Cole swings into spotlight with timeless tunes". The Daily Northwestern. May 6, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ James, Lauren (7 March 2026). "Stella Cole Quartet delivers delightful set of jazz and film classics in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. SCMP Publishers. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- ^ "Stella Cole - with Mikkel Rønnow's 16-piece musical orchestra". Glass Hall (Tivoli Gardens), Tivoli Gardens, Denmark.
- ^ Stella Cole Concerts’., Mikkel Rønnow (official site).
- ^ "Noted Scottish arranger joins American singer Stella Cole & Danish conductor Mikkel Rønnow Sunday at Copenhagen Tivoli". The National Law Review. Vol. XVI, no. 104. National Law Forum L.L.C. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- ^ Rod, Ivan (20 April 2026). "Stella Cole sang evergreens med forudsigelig sentimentalitet – og det virkede". Gaffa (magazine). Copenhagen: Gaffa A/S. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ^ Kaae, Niels (20 April 2026). "TikTok sangstjerne fylder Glassalen i Tivoli". Out&About. Copenhagen: outandabout.dk. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ^ Søby, Michael (April 2026). "STELLA COLE (Musical-koncert i Glassalen, Tivoli)". CPHCULTURE.DK. Retrieved 6 May 2026.