Nat King Cole
“The velvet baritone and gifted pianist who broke barriers as he soothed a nation.”
In 1950, Cole's lush ballad 'Mona Lisa' topped the charts, completing his transformation from acclaimed jazz pianist into one of the most popular vocalists in America. His warm baritone and crossover appeal made him a household name across racial lines.
Jazz Beginnings
Born in Alabama in 1919 and raised in Chicago, Cole became a gifted jazz pianist who formed the influential King Cole Trio. The group became a model for small jazz ensembles and Capitol Records' top-selling act.
The Velvet Voice
Encouraged to sing, Cole found massive success with ballads like 'Nature Boy,' 'Mona Lisa,' and 'Unforgettable.' His smooth baritone made him one of the first Black entertainers to win a wide mainstream audience.
Breaking Barriers
Cole broke racial ground as a radio and television host, enduring an on-stage attack by segregationists in 1956. He took part in the 1963 March on Washington before his early death from lung cancer in 1965.
Career Timeline
- 1919Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama
- 1937Forms the King Cole Trio
- 1944Scores hit with 'Straighten Up and Fly Right'
- 1946First records 'The Christmas Song'
- 1948'Nature Boy' reaches number one
- 1950'Mona Lisa' becomes a chart-topping hit
- 1951Records 'Unforgettable'
- 1956Hosts pioneering The Nat King Cole Show on NBC
- 1963Participates in the March on Washington
- 1964Has late hit with 'L-O-V-E'
- 1965Dies of lung cancer in Santa Monica, aged 45
Biggest Hits
- The Nat King Cole Show (1956-57) was the first nationally broadcast variety show hosted by a Black American, though it struggled to find national sponsors.
- In 1991, his daughter Natalie Cole created a chart-topping virtual duet with his recording of 'Unforgettable,' winning multiple Grammys.
The Moment You Remember
As the first chestnuts roast over the opening of "The Christmas Song," Nat King Cole's voice wraps the season in warmth, and a holiday standard is set for every December that follows.
Portrait: General Artists Corporation (management) · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons