Arthur Newton “Newt” Cole Jr. of Empire, Michigan and Matlacha, Florida died October 9, 2023 in his Empire home, of cancer. 

Newt was born December 28, 1942, to Arthur Newton Cole and Annabelle Bradfield. His musical beginnings developed in elementary school and continued at Birmingham Seaholm High School where he and his buddies took delight in playing off-key to the consternation of the band leader. 

Newt worked as a television repairman in Royal Oak as he developed his musicianship, eventually learning by ear the guitar, piano, flute and, his trademark instrument, the saxophone.  His wanderings led him to northern Michigan in the late 1960’s, settling in Leelanau County where he worked with other musicians, forming, in 1976, Newt and the Salamanders. The band scored their first gig at the Marine Bar in Northport. The band became legend at local venues as well as venues in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. Newt’s dedication to the job of making music was such that he played a gig at Sugar Loaf Ski Resort after fracturing his leg that afternoon on the hill named “Awful Awful” Only later that night did he present himself at a hospital for surgery. 

Newt and the Salamanders was named Detroit Metro Times best funk and rhythm and blues band in 1984. Newt dissoved the band a year later, joining Jelly Roll Blues Band as the only horn in that popular group. A decade later, missing the majesty of a horn section, Newt reached out and formed The Fabulous Horndogs in 1995. 

Weary of Michigan winters, in the late 1990’s Newt and his wife, Deborah, bought a winter home in Matlacha, Florida where he cofounded and toured with Deb and the Dynamics for the next 20 years. As Newt neared his 80th birthday, the couple returned to their Empire home in 2021, but Newt never put down his saxophone. He played his last gig at a benefit concert at Black Star Farms on September 20, 2023. 

Newt treasured his family and friends most of all, especially as he grew older. Humor was his coping mechanism for the hard times, often quoting Bozo the Clown, “Just keep laughing!” He performed with the same attitude. He loved traveling, boating, reading widely, and dispensing such words of silliness as, “wherever you go, there you are” 

Newt is survived by his wife of 26 years, son Arthur Newton Cole III (Nicco Ruiz) of Chicago, daughters Laura Cole and Tate Stewart of Traverse City, and Leslie Cole (Brian Steele) of Cedar, grandchildren Fletcher Gross and Cole Stewart of Traverse City, Newton Sequoia Cole of Chicago. 

A Memorial and Celebration of life dubbed “The Last Hat Party”is planned at Newt’s Empire Home on July 1 at 1:pm until evening hours. Musicians, family, and friends from the area and from Florida are invited to speak, and to join in making music in Newt’s honor. 

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