Nat King Cole
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Nat King Cole was a black man, who became a very famous jazz pianist and singer. He sold over 50 million records including his signature one, "Unforgettable".
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About
Nat King Cole or "Nathaniel Adams Coles" in real life was born on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama to "Reverend Edward James Coles Sr." and "Perlina Adams Coles". When Nat was still young, his family moved from Montgomery in the south of the United States, to Chicago in the north, where Nat's father became the minister of his own church. Nat's mother Perlina was the church organist, and it was she who taught him how to play piano. His first performance, at age 4, was of 'Yes, We have no bananas'. His first public performance as a pianist was at four in Chicago's Regal Theater.
Nat regularly played in his father's church from the age of 11 and was an accomplished pianist by the age of 12. He formed his 14-piece band called the "Royal Dukes" when he was in high school. The family lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. Nat would sneak out of the house and hang outside the clubs, listening to artists like "Louis Armstrong", "Earl Hines", and "Jimmie Noone". He participated in Walter Dyett's renowned music program at DuSable High School.
Inspired by the playing of Earl Hines, Nat began his performing career in the mid 1930s while he was still a teenager, and adopted the name "Nat Cole". Although Nat was still at school, he was having such success with his piano, playing that his brother, Eddie came to join him in Chicago and they formed a Sextet called the 'Eddie Coles Solid Swingers'. Nat made his recording debut on Decca in 1936 for the group Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers. They released the singles, Honey Hush", "Thunder", "Bedtime" and "Stompin at The Panama".
In that same year he moved to Los Angeles where he formed a group that later became the "King Cole Trio", a group consisting of "Oscar Moore" on guitar, "Wesley Prince" on bass and "Lee Young" on drums. Between 1938 and 1941 Nat was to record some 200 transcription recordings, the majority of which have never been commercially issued. One of these was "Sweet Lorraine". In 1943, the Cole Trio had a hit with "Straighten Up And Fly Right," setting off his career as a singer. Nat has also released solo singles with "It's Only a Paper Moon" in 1945, "The Christmas Song" in 1947, "Nature Boy" in 1948, "Mona Lisa" in 1949, which chartered at #1, "Too Young" and his signature tune "Unforgettable" in 1951.
During the last six months of 1947, Nat recorded 80 songs. Some of Nat's hits recorded in this short space of time were "If I Had You", "Little Girl", "Nature Boy", When I Take My Sugar To Tea", "There I've Said It Again", "I'll String It With You", and A Boy From Texas. In 1950, Nat soon earned his own radio show. He had become the first black male to attain mainstream acceptance as a popular singer, and he released a continual series of hit records over the remainder of his career.
In October 1956, Nat started his own TV show. It was probably the first serious attempt by a TV station to have a Negro as a show's host. It was very popular but businesses were afraid that white southern audiences would stop buying their products if they advertised during the show.
In films, apart from singing over many film credits and making various guest appearances, he also had starring role in the W.C. Handy biographical movie 'St Louis Blues 'The Nat King Cole Story' and a non singing role in 'China Gate'.
Although Nat moved away from jazz, and is best known as a melodious, smooth singer of such popular songs as "Pretend," "Route 66," "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" and "Rambling Rose," his stronger claim to a place in musical history is as a jazz pianist.
The sixties opened with Nat celebrating reaching his 50 million record sales by recording some outstanding albums like Wild is Love, The Touch of your lips, The Nat King Cole Story and Let There Be Love. His other hit albums includes, Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer Dear Lonely Heart, and L-O-V-E.
Nat died in February 15, 1965. He died of lung cancer because he used three packets of cigarettes every day for many years. After that, his music still was very popular and lots more records were sold.
Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Grammy Awards | Other Pop/Rock&Roll/ Contemporary Awards or Instrumental |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Pop Albums | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 9 | Moods in Song |
| 1955 | 5 | Nat "King" Cole Sings |
| 1957 | 1 | Love is The Thing |
| 1958 | 18 | Just One of Those Things |
| 1960 | 4 | Wild is Love |
| 1962 | 3 | Ramblin' Rose |
News
Tours & Concerts
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
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 L-O-V-E
December 1964<br<Capitol |
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Unforgettable | Capitol |
| 1955 | Moods in Song | Capitol |
| 1997 | Send For Me | Capitol |
Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Lush Life | Blue Note |
| 1950 | The Unforgettable Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 1950 | Big Band Cole | Capitol |
| 1950 | Harvest of Hits | Capitol |
| 1951 | The Billy May Session | Capitol |
| 1953 | 10th Anniversary | Capitol |
| 1955 | Instrumental Classics | Capitol |
| 1956 | Ballads of The Day | Capitol |
| 1956 | 1956-1957 Broadcast | Sunbeam |
| 1957 | Live 1957 Broadcast | Radiola |
| 1960 | The Magic of Christmas | Capitol |
| 1960 | Nat King Cole at The Sands | Capitol |
| 1963 | The Christmas Song | Capitol |
| 1966 | Nat King Cole at J.A.T.P. | Verve |
| 1966 | The Vintage Years | Capitol |
| 1966 | Nature Boy | Capitol |
| 1969 | Close-Up | Capitol |
| 1969 | Nat Cole's Greatest | Capitol |
| 1970 | Portrait of Nat King Cole | EMI |
| 1982 | Greatest Love Songs | EMI |
| 1982 | Sings For Those in Love | CEMA |
| 1989 | The One and Only | EMI |
| 1989 | Sus Mejores Canciones: 16 Exitos Originales | EMI |
| 1990 | Let's Fall in Love | EMI |
| 1990 | Greatest Country Hits | Capitol |
| 1990 | Jazz Collector: Nat King Cole | Laserlight |
| 1991 | Espanol | Entertainers |
| 1991 | 22 Love Songs | Huub |
| 1991 | 24 Golden Hits | Huub |
| 1991 | Love Moods | Pair |
| 1991 | Weaver of Dream | Pair |
| 1992 | Tell Me All About Yourself/The Touch of Your Lips | EMI |
| 1992 | The Keynoters With Nat King Cole | Mercury |
| 1992 | Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 1993 | Tenderly | Pair |
| 1993 | At The Movies | Capitol |
| 1993 | Crazy Rhythm | Vintage Jazz Classics |
| 1993 | Mis Mejores Canciones | Capitol |
| 1993 | Piano Stylings | Capitol |
| 1994 | 18 Exitos | Saludos Amigos |
| 1994 | Double Goldies | Goldies |
| 1994 | Gold Christmas Collection | Dejavu |
| 1995 | Live | A Touch of Magic |
| 1995 | Greatest Hits | Bellaphon |
| 1995 | Christmas is For Kids | Cema Special Makets |
| 1995 | Merry Christmas From Cole and Fitzgerald | EM1 |
| 1995 | 32 Live Original Songs | Accord |
| 1995 | Christmas With Nat and Ella | EMI |
| 1995 | Jazzman | Topaz |
| 1996 | Christmas Favorites | CEMA |
| 1997 | Super Stars | Suoer |
| 1999 | Live at The Circle Room | Capitol |
| 1999 | Legends of The 20th Century | Capitol |
| 1999 | The Ultimate Colelction | Capitol |
| 2000 | The Unforgettable Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 2000 | Rockin Boppin' Blues | Capitol |
| 2000 | Songs From The Heart | Capitol |
| 2001 | Jazz at The Philarmonic | Jasmine |
| 2001 | I'm an Errand Boy For Rhythm | Proper |
| 2001 | Legends Collection | Dressed To Kill |
| 2001 | Early American | Music |
| 2001 | Selection of Nat King Cole | A Touch of Magic |
| 2001 | The Collection | Prism |
| 2001 | Love Songs | Nimbus |
| 2001 | The King Swings | Capitol |
| 2001 | Songs From Stage and Screen | Capitol |
| 2001 | Nice Work if You Can Get It | Magnum Collectors |
| 2001 | 1947, Vol. 3 | Classics |
| 2001 | Nat King Cole, Vol.1 | Platinum Disc |
| 2001 | Nat King Cole, Vol. 2 | Platinum Disc |
| 2001 | Early American | A Touch of Magic |
| 2002 | Sharing Holidays with Nat King Cole and Friends | Medalist |
| 2002 | Just Love Songs | K-Tel |
| 2002 | Cool Cole | Import |
| 2002 | Nat King Cole Best | Toshiba EMI |
| 2002 | Golden Greats | EMI |
| 2002 | Standards | EMI |
| 2002 | The Quintessence New York-Hollywood, Vol.2 | Fremeaux and Associes |
| 2002 | The Definitive Nat King Cole | Blue Note |
| 2002 | It's Almost Like Being in Love | Prism |
| 2002 | Here's To My Lady | Memoir |
| 2002 | The Golden Years of Nat King Cole | Soho |
| 2003 | The Best of Nat King Cole: 25 Original Recordings | Plat |
| 2003 | Nat King Cole and All His Friends | Platinum Disc |
| 2003 | Ultimate Legends | United Multi License |
| 2003 | The Essential | EMI |
| 2003 | Legendary Nat King Cole | Import |
| 2003 | Christmas With Nat King Cole and Friends | Legacy |
| 2003 | Christmas Album | EMI |
| 2003 | Christmas Together | EMI Gold |
| 2003 | The 20 Most Requested | Festival |
| 2003 | Singer | Universal International |
| 2003 | Collection | Madacy |
| 2003 | The Classic Singles | Capitol |
| 2003 | Love Songs | Capitol |
| 2004 | The Greatest Hits | Trilogie |
| 2004 | BD Jazz | Nocturne |
| 2004 | Unforgettable | Proper Pair |
| 2004 | The Best of Nat King Cole: 75 Original Recordings | Prism Leisure |
| 2004 | 24 Exitos En Castellano | Mediterraneo |
| 2004 | 20 Golden Greats | EMI |
| 2004 | Christmas Songs | Christmas Legends |
| 2004 | Unbelievable | Blue Moon |
| 2004 | Route 66 and Other Great Kicks | Blue Moon |
| 2004 | Laura | Blue Moon |
| 2004 | Nat King Cole/Ella Fitzgerald | Platinum Disc |
| 2004 | Grandes Exitos, Vol.2 | GLD |
| 2004 | Santa Claus is Coming To Town | Christmas |
| 2004 | Go Bongo | Blue Moon |
| 2005 | The Christmas Song | Capitol |
| 2005 | The World of Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 2005 | Only The Love Songs | K-Tel UK |
| 2005 | Voice of A Legend | Legacy |
| 2005 | I Know That You Know | Brentwood |
| 2005 | Unforgettable | Pazzazz |
| 2005 | Treasures From The Past | Legacy |
| 2005 | 41 All Time Favorites | Prism Platinum |
| 2005 | Too Young | Pazzazz |
| 2005 | 52 Original Recordings | Dove |
| 2005 | Golden Songs | Disky |
| 2005 | Best of Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 2005 | American Songbook | Prism Platinum |
| 2006 | Christmas with Nat King Cole | Capitol Special Markets |
| 2006 | Stardust:The Complete Capitol Recordings 1955-1959 | Bear Family |
| 2006 | Supreme Jazz | Membran |
| 2006 | The Essentials | Big Eye |
| 2006 | Very Best of Nat King Cole | Mastersong |
| 2006 | The Very Best of Nat King Cole | Capitol |
| 2006 | Superstar Series | Pel |
| 2006 | Definitive Gold | Deja Vu |
| 2007 | Penthouse Seranade/The Piano Style of Nat King Cole | Collector's Choice |
| 2007 | Seriously Smooth | Primo |
| 2007 | Anthology 1949-1955 | Cabu |
| 2007 | Forever Gold | St. Clair |
| 2007 | Collection, Vol.1 | Collector's Choice Music |
| 2007 | Merry Christmas | EMI Gold |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- On April 10, 1956, at Birmingham, Alabama, he was attacked by six white men from a white supremacist group called the White Cizizens Council during a concert and sustained minor injuries to his back.
- In 1974 it became one of the first Milestone recordings to be placed in the coveted Hall of Fame at The National Academy of Recorded Arts and Sciences on nationwide TV.
- A lifelong baseball fan, he was frequently seen at the Los Angeles Dodgers' home games for many years.
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | Vocal Jazz | Swing | Traditional Pop | Jump Blues
