Khani Cole's assent into the national and international consciousness began after relocating to Phoenix, Arizona from her native Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1992.
The move, which initiated many personal changes, sparked the inception of her very first release, Piece Of My Soul, on Fahrenheit Records. Piece Of My Soul was an album with great depth harmonically and lyrically and was quite a departure from the production and performance trends heard on NAC (Smooth Jazz) radio at that time. The release caught on nationwide; specifically in markets with a more liberal radio philosophy. Piece Of My Soul featured jazz greats, Brian Bromberg, Joey DeFrancesco and Marco Russo among others, as Khani and her band toured the summer of '97 and were met with an overwhelming positive response.
Khani's follow-up release, Places yielded a top 30 radio hit - a cover of the classic Blood Sweat & Tears' favorite, You've Made Me So Very Happy. Khani and the band performed in 28 US cities including, some of the most prestigious festivals and events throughout the country. Khani made her first trek into Europe playing Germany as Places met with fantastic reception on European radio and with Euro- audience.
Khani's most recent Expansion Records' (Sony/3MV - UK) release, Lifetime - produced by veteran New York based writer-producers, Chris Parks & Vivian Sessoms (Lalah Hathaway, Rob Thomas, Dianne Reeves) quickly ascended the European radio charts and picked up where Places left off. Khani states - “European audiences can be very discerning and tend to be drawn to a bit more depth, be it harmonic or lyrical.”
In 2007, after an unprecedented 10.5 year run at the world renowned Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, Khani realized another dream when she opened her own music venue in Scottsdale, Voce Lounge. Voce featured some of the finest regional, local and international talent. Khani states - “We booked great artists and let them be artists without the restraints often associated with "music as an after-thought, hotel lobby or, wine bar thing.”
Live @Voce 2010
Recent highlights for Khani have included a performance with the legendary George Benson at the Hollywood Bowl ~ 2010 Playboy Jazz Festival as well as, a three week Spring 2011 tour of Demark and Germany.
Khani states - “Denmark was amazing! With each date, the audience grew. It was such a peaceful country that really seemed to really dig what we were doing. I can’t wait to return to Europe next Fall (2012).”
Plans for 2012 also include a new album that features an organic, acoustic vibe and feel.
Khani began a weekend run at legendary Scottsdale restaurant, Sassi in late 2011 and which carries over through May 2012; where she performs in an "un-plugged" and intimate environment with piano.
live in Kolding, Denmark 2011
live in Herning, Denmark 2011
photos by Brian Chartrand ©2011