Holly Cole Trio: The Sophisticated Voice of Canadian Jazz

The Holly Cole Trio is a celebrated Canadian jazz and pop vocal group known for its minimalist, intimate arrangements and Cole's distinctive contralto voice. Formed in Toronto in 1986, the trio carved a unique niche with its innovative reinterpretations of jazz standards, pop songs, and show tunes. Their 1993 album Don't Smoke in Bed became a commercial and critical landmark, achieving triple platinum status in Canada and cementing their place in the national music scene.

Early career

The Holly Cole Trio was founded in 1986 by vocalist Holly Cole, pianist Aaron Davis, and bassist David Piltch. The group's formation followed Cole's move from her native Halifax to Toronto, where she sought to pursue a music career distinct from the mainstream. Their early performances in Toronto clubs showcased a stark, acoustic-oriented style that emphasized lyrical storytelling and sophisticated musical interplay, leading to their 1990 debut album Girl Talk on the independent Alert Music label.

Breakthrough

The trio's major breakthrough arrived in 1993 with the release of Don't Smoke in Bed on the Manhattan/EMI label. The album's lead single, a haunting cover of Tom Waits' "Train Song," received heavy radio play and video rotation on MuchMusic. Don't Smoke in Bed was a massive commercial success in Canada, selling over 300,000 copies and earning a triple platinum certification, while also raising the group's profile significantly in the United States and Japan.

Key tracks

Train Song — This Tom Waits cover was the lead single from Don't Smoke in Bed and became the trio's signature song, introducing their sound to a wide audience.

I Can See Clearly Now — Their jazz-inflected, melancholic take on the Johnny Nash classic demonstrated the trio's ability to radically reinvent well-known pop material.

Calling You — Featured in the film Bagdad Cafe, this atmospheric rendition highlighted Cole's emotive vocal control and the group's cinematic sensibility.

Get Out of Town — A Cole Porter standard performed with minimalist elegance, showcasing the trio's deep roots in the classic jazz repertoire.

The success of Don't Smoke in Bed was followed by the 1995 album Temptation, a full-length tribute to Tom Waits that further solidified their reputation for daring concept albums. Subsequent releases like Dark Dear Heart (1997) and Romantically Helpless (2000) explored a broader pop-rock sound while maintaining their core aesthetic. The trio has collaborated with notable artists like Hugh Marsh and recorded for labels such as Alert, Manhattan, EMI, and Sony.

Fans of the Holly Cole Trio's blend of jazz intimacy and pop sensibility also enjoy the work of Diana Krall, another Canadian vocalist and pianist known for her sophisticated jazz-pop crossover success. Madeleine Peyroux shares a similar approach to crafting poignant, jazz-inflected covers of eclectic songbook material. The intricate small-group dynamics can be heard in the work of Jane Siberry, a fellow Canadian artist known for her inventive and lyrical songwriting.

The music of the Holly Cole Trio maintains a steady presence on radio formats that appreciate vocal jazz and adult alternative music. Their catalog, particularly the hits from Don't Smoke in Bed, is frequently featured on public radio stations, dedicated jazz FM channels, and sophisticated online music streams that champion timeless Canadian recordings.

Listeners can explore the sophisticated sound of the Holly Cole Trio through the curated playlists of radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to the jazz and adult alternative stations available on onairium.com to hear their iconic recordings and discover more music within this elegant genre.