William Randolph "Cozy" Cole (October 17, 1909 – January 9, 1981)[1] was an American jazz drummer who worked with Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong among others and led his own groups.
William Randolph Cole was born in East Orange, New Jersey, United States.[2] His first music job was with Wilbur Sweatman in 1928.[2] In 1930, he played for Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers,[2]recording an early drum solo on "Load of Cole". He spent 1931–33 with Blanche Calloway, 1933–34 with Benny Carter, 1935–36 with Willie Bryant, 1936–38 with Stuff Smith's small combo, and 1938–42 with Cab Calloway.[2] In 1942, he was hired by CBS Radio music director Raymond Scott as part of network radio's first integrated orchestra. After that he played with Louis Armstrong's All Stars.[2]
Cole performed with Louis Armstrong and his All Stars with Velma Middleton singing vocals for the ninth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. The concert was produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. on June 7, 1953. Also featured that day were Roy Brown and his Orchestra, Don Tosti and His Mexican Jazzmen, Earl Bostic, Nat "King" Cole, and Shorty Rogers and his Orchestra.[3][4]
Here is a list of other autographs available:
"The Three Sons”; Morty, Artie and Al |
Andrew Sisters (all of them) |
Anne Jefferies |
Anton Karas |
Beatrice Kay |
Benny Goodman |
Bill Cullen |
Bill Lawrence |
Bill Stern |
Billy Echstine |
Billy Gillbert |
Bob Hope |
Carmen Cavaliaro |
Carmen Miranda |
Charles Laughton |
Charley Shaver/Louis Belson/Tommy Dorsey |
Cliff Grass/ Carmen Lombardo |
Clyde McCoy |
Constance Moore |
Dan Rodney |
Della and Andy Russell |
Denise Dardy |
Desi Arnaz |
Dick Contino |
Dick Haymes |
Dick Kolmar |
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. |
Duke Ellington |
Edgar Bergan |
Ethel Smith |
Faye Emerson |
Frankie Carle |
Frankie Laine |
Fred McMurry |
Gary Moore |
Gene Autry |
George Rock |
Gloria Swanson |
Guy Lombardo |
Henny Youngman |
Henry Busse |
Henry Morgan |
Hildegard |
Hop a long Cassidy |
Horace Heidt |
Ilona Massey |
Ina Ray Hutton |
Irene Dunne |
Jack Benny |
Jack Costanzo/Sonny Sparks/jenny Ashley/Joe Comfort (trio) |
Jack LaRue/Nat King Cole |
James Melton |
James Whitmore |
Janis Carter |
Janis Page |
Jerry Colona |
Joan Evans |
John Loder |
Josephine Baker |
Larry Ross |
Laura Leslie/Tony Alamo/Don Cornell |
Lionel Hampton |
Lois Jourdan |
Lon McCallister |
Louis Armstrong |
Louis Prima |
Mae West |
Mary Martin |
Milton Berle |
Monty Wooley |
Nelson Eddy |
Patti Page |
Peggy Lee/Dave Barbour |
Phil Harris |
Ralph Gleason |
Ray Bolger |
Ray Noble |
Rex Harrison |
Rhonda Flemming |
Rudy Vallee |
Ruth Roman |
Skitch Henderson/Ray Hitherton |
Sophie Tucker |
Stan Kenton |
Sylvia Sydney |
Ted Lewis |
Ted Weems |
Xavier Cugat |