Stella Cole has been enchanting audiences with her modern interpretations of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. The vocalist from Illinois, who grew up on Hollywood musicals and Norah Jones records, first went viral on social media with her jazzy take on rock and pop hits. Freshly signed to Decca, her third album “It’s Magic” is currently garnering rave reviews, while Cole is performing across the U.S. and Europe. Everything Jazz caught up with the young shooting star before her show in London.

Everything Jazz What’s it been like signing with the iconic Decca label?

Stella Cole Like the most insane dream come true, honestly. I grew up listening to so many records from the Decca Verve label group. Specifically, Judy Garland’s recordings for Decca mean a lot to me. The team has brought my vision to life so beautifully for this record in a way that I haven’t been able to do before. I can’t wait for everybody to see more of what we’ve been working on. 

Everything Jazz Do you have a pre-gig ritual?



Stella Cole Honestly, I usually get ready pretty last minute. It fills me with adrenaline, like oh my gosh, is my hair going to be ready on time? Meditation, yoga and stretching are big for me, just so that I’m grounded and feeling ready to sing. And then, vocal warm-ups, and lots of water.

Everything Jazz How does singing standards allow you to connect with audiences?

Stella Cole  People come up to me after shows – mothers, daughters, grandparents – and they all have a different association with a song that I would have sung. “

Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, for example, I sing that at the end of almost all of my concerts. Spoiler alert. Songs like this have a lot of sentimental value for people, a lot of emotional weight to them, more so than a song they may never have heard before.

Everything Jazz  What are your favourite songs to perform from the Great American Songbook? 

Stella Cole  “Something Good”, from “The Sound of Music”, written by the great Rodgers and Hammerstein. It’s always this moment of a hush falling over the room – a magical feeling. The other one is “Till There Was You” – a very romantic, tender moment. The third one is sort of a silly song called “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. The audience is always whispering it along with me. That just cracks me up.

 So that’s a good balance – the intimate ballads and the ridiculous Doris Day vibes.

Everything Jazz  Who is an underrated artist that everyone should know about?

Stella Cole  I’ve been listening to Anita O’Day lately. She wasn’t underrated at her time, but I think less people know about her now outside of jazz circles. She just is phenomenal and unreal. She should be known on the same level as the big people of jazz that we all know today.

Everything Jazz  Can you name any living artist that you would love to collaborate with?

Stella Cole Michael Bublé gets suggested often – that would be fun. I also love Samara Joy and Laufey. We could do a little trio of jazz girlies. I also love when current artists do throwback duets, like a duet with Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra. Though I’d be really scared to sing alongside those voices.

Everything Jazz  What’s your Christmas soundtrack?

Stella Cole Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney singing the whole “White Christmas” soundtrack, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland. Christmas music just makes me smile. I wish the Christmas soundtrack could be all year long.

Everything Jazz  What would you like as a Christmas present this year?

Stella Cole My dream gift would be a vacation in a cabin in the snowy mountains. It’s all wood. There’s a fireplace. There’s a vinyl player. No cell service, no one can reach me. I would love there to be a dog. Dogs make everything better. Maybe we’re skiing nearby. Maybe we’re just vibing out with some tea and some records. I’ve been traveling and exploring all these amazing cities this year, but the perfect gift would be peace and quiet and serenity for a week in the snow. Can you email that to my boyfriend, actually?

_{Header image: Stella Cole. Photo: Luke Rogers.}

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