Edwin LeMar "Buddy" Cole, born on December 15, 1916 in Irving, Illinois, was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and orchestra leader. At age 10, he debuted on the theater piano, later serving as theater organist at Los Angeles' Figueroa Theater. At 19, Cole joined Gil Evans's band and later played in dance bands led by Alvino Rey and Frankie Trumbauer. From the 1940s, Cole worked extensively as a studio musician, contributing to Bing Crosby's radio shows and albums such as Some Fine Old Chestnuts and New Tricks. He also collaborated with Rosemary Clooney on her album Swing Around Rosie, and played piano parts in the film Young Man with a Horn. Throughout his career, Cole released numerous organ albums for labels including Warner Brothers and Columbia. He died in Hollywood on November 5, 1964.
