Legendary jazz pianist Ronnie Kole performed a standing ovation worthy set inside the Columbia Theatre Saturday, Sept. 28. Kole took the audience around the world in 88 keys.
“I thought it was really good,” said audience member and senior nursing major Jennifer Rester. “I understand how hard it is to get people interested in your music, so I thought he did really good with entertaining the audience while he was playing.”
The Chicago-born musician unofficially adopted New Orleans as his hometown, respectively sitting on boards for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Sugar Bowl and the Louisiana Tourist Commission. Kole is the fifth musician to be inducted into New Orleans Musical Legends Park, and he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
“It was amazing and he’s always amazing, very talented very skilled to be able to pull together all those songs and play all of those different styles,” stated Karen Powell, a member of the audience from Robert, La.
Kole and his band mates, drummer Lloyd Cambre and bass player Danny Infante, entertained the audience by taking them through each city and country Kole has performed in.
“I love it [traveling around the world],” said Kole. “I just really enjoy entertaining, music is a common denominator, a universal language.”
Growing up in Chicago, Kole always loved music and the way it made him feel, but looking back on his accomplishments, he never thought he would make such an imprint in jazz music as he has today.
“All I ever wanted to do is play Boogie Woogie and then I always wanted to play,” said Kole. “I never envisioned reaching the heights that I have.”
He has not only performed for millions of people, but he has also played for six presidents, one being for former president Bill Clinton, who played saxophone.
“Well, I never thought I would ever even meet [a president], let alone play for one,” said Kole.
Inside New Orleans Musical Legends Park, Kole is officially immortalized by his bronze statue, which stands next to other New Orleans music legends like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas and his mentor, Al Hirt.
After performing many pieces, taking the audience on a trip “Around the World on 88 keys,” Kole then walked around the audience, taking request for songs the audience wanted to hear. He then incorporated all of the songs together in a musical montage, performing it toward the end of the show. The finale of the show was completely appropriate with “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
“I enjoyed coming here; great audience,” Kole said at the end of the show. “SLU has a great music program, the campus is great and the Columbia Theatre is just awesome.”