Cozy Cole, born William Randolph Cole on October 17, 1909, in East Orange, New Jersey, was a distinguished American jazz drummer whose career spanned several decades, from the 1930s to the 1970s. He passed away on January 29, 1981, in Columbus, Ohio. Known for his technical prowess and versatility, Cole was a prominent figure in the jazz scene, collaborating with some of the genre's most iconic names.

Cole began his professional career in 1928 with Wilbur Sweatman and made his recording debut in 1930 with Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he played with numerous bands, including those led by Blanche Calloway, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, and Cab Calloway. His work with Cab Calloway's band from 1938 to 1942 featured notable performances on tracks like "Crescendo in Drums," "Paradiddle," and "Ratamacue."

In 1942, Cole broke new ground by joining CBS Radio's first integrated orchestra under Raymond Scott. He also appeared in the Broadway musical Carmen Jones and performed with the Benny Goodman Quintet in Seven Lively Arts. From 1949 to 1953, he toured with Louis Armstrong's All Stars, further cementing his reputation as a leading jazz drummer.

Cole's most significant commercial success came with the 1958 hit "Topsy II," which featured a drum solo that sold over one million copies, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. This achievement made it one of the few drum solo recordings to achieve such success.

Throughout his career, Cole continued to perform and record with various artists, including Jonah Jones and Stuff Smith. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was a regular performer at the Metropole Cafe in New York City, often playing drum duets with Gene Krupa. In 1962, he toured Africa with his band under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State.

Cole's influence extended beyond jazz, inspiring contemporary rock drummers like Cozy Powell, who adopted his nickname. In recognition of his contributions to music, Capital University in Columbus awarded him an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1978. Cozy Cole remains a celebrated figure in the history of jazz drumming, remembered for his technical skill and groundbreaking achievements.