Gary Cole was born in Dudley and educated at Dudley Grammar School.

He studied at the Royal College of Music and Emmanuel College Cambridge, where he held an organ scholarship. He also received awards and scholarships from the Royal College of Organists and the Countess of Munster Trust. He spent eight years working as a freelance musician in London, where he was director of music at St. Marks Church in Regent's Park, conductor of the Streatham Choral Society, taught at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, and was an accompanist and continuo player for groups such as St Paul's Cathedral Choir and the City of London Sinfonia. He also conducted many chamber choir concerts, cathedral visits, broadcasts and recordings.

Gary has worked for over 25 years as a classical recording producer, collaborating with many renowned choirs, chamber orchestras and ensembles and solo artists. His recordings have won awards worldwide and in 2001 a recording he produced received a Grammy nomination. From 1998-2001 he was director of music at St Peter's Collegiate Church Wolverhampton, where he rebuilt the choir of men and boys and founded the St. Peters Church Girls choir. More recently he spent five years as musical director of the City of Wolverhampton choir, and has been assistant conductor of the Wolverhampton Chamber Choir since 2003